Oxidation, reduction and redox reactions

• Reduction and oxidation involve the transfer of electrons
• Oxidation


  Loss of electrons
• Reduction


  Gain of electrons
• The reaction where calcium is completely burnt in oxygen involves the reduction and oxidation of the elements involved
• This reaction is called a redox reaction
• Calcium is being oxidized


  Calcium is losing electrons and forming Ca2+ ions
• Oxygen is being reduced


  Oxygen is gaining electrons and forming O2- ions
• Reducing agent


  A chemical that loses electrons and oxidizes itself
• Oxidizing agent


  A chemical that gains electrons and is itself reduced
• Calcium is the reducing agent in this reaction