TRINITY INTERNATIONAL SS & COLLEGE
KATHMANDU, NEPAL
2025
“REDOX REACTION AND ITS’S APPLICATION”
Submitted By: Submitted to:
Name: Krishal Upreti DPO Sir
Department of Chemistry
Class :11 (MD1)
TRINITY INTERNATIONAL SS & COLLEGE
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Dillibazar Height, Kathmandu, Nepal
KATHMANDU, NEPAL 2025
“REDOX REACTION AND ITS’S APPLICATION”
A PROJECT WORK SUBMITTED FOR PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUREMENTS OF INTERNAL EVULATION OF CHEMISTRY PRESCRIBED BY NEB.
Submitted By:
Krishal Upreti
Under Supervision Of
DPO SIR AND RKD SIR
Date:2082/01/12
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
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This is to certify that the project entitled “Redox Reactions and Its Applications”
submitted by KRISHAL UPRETI, a student of Class 11(MD1,) has been examined
and approved as a bonafide and original work carried out under my supervision for
the fulfillment of the academic requirements for Chemistry.
The work is original and reflects the student’s understanding of the topic. It has been
reviewed and found to be complete in all respects. This project has been carried out
under our supervision and guidance and is found to be satisfactory in terms of scope,
quality, and relevance to the field of study. This project work has not been submitted
to any other school or institution previously for any internal evaluation of Grade XI.
Supervisor: DPO Sir
Department of Chemistry
Trinity International College
RECOMMENDATION LETTER
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I am pleased to recommend the project titled "Redox Reactions and Their
Applications" completed by Krishal Upreti, a student of 11(MD1) at Trinity
International College.
This project is a comprehensive study of the fundamental concept of redox
(reductionoxidation) reactions, which play a vital role in both academic chemistry
and real-world applications. The student has demonstrated a strong understanding of
the subject by exploring the theory, types, and mechanisms of redox reactions, and
skillfully connecting them with their practical uses in various fields such as biology,
industry, energy production, and environmental science.
The project not only highlights the scientific principles behind redox reactions but
also discusses their significance in daily life — from battery operation and metal
extraction to biological processes like respiration and photosynthesis. The clarity of
explanation, thoughtful organization, and effort put into research reflect the student’s
sincere interest and dedication toward the subject.
I commend him for their enthusiasm, analytical thinking, and ability to present
complex information in an accessible manner. I confidently recommend this project
for academic submission and recognition, and I hope it inspires further exploration
into the fascinating world of chemical reactions.
Sincerely,
Krishal Upreti
MD1
DECLARATION
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I hereby declare that this project titled "Redox Reactions and Its Applications" is a
result of my own work and effort, carried out under the guidance of my teacher. The
information presented in this project has been gathered from various sources, which
have been duly acknowledged.
This project has not been submitted to any other examination board or institution for
the award of any certificate or diploma. I have made sincere efforts to study the topic
and present it in a structured and informative manner to the best of my understanding.
Name: Krishal Upreti
Grade: 11
Section: MD1
Dillibazar Height, Kathmandu, Nepal
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the
successful completion of this project on Redox Reactions and Their Applications.
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First and foremost, I would like to thank my chemistry lab Teachers RKD Sir and
DPO Sir, for their constant guidance, valuable suggestions, and encouragement
throughout the project. Their insightful feedback and support made this learning
experience both enriching and enjoyable. I would also like to thank Trinity
International College for providing the necessary facilities and a conducive learning
environment to work on this project. My heartfelt thanks go to my parents and friends
for their moral support, motivation, and for helping me with resources whenever
needed.
Lastly, I extend my appreciation to all the authors and sources whose work helped me
understand the concepts better and present them in this project.
Thank You,
Krishal Upreti.
ABSTRACT
This project explores the concept of redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions, a
fundamental type of chemical reaction involving the transfer of electrons between
substances. Redox reactions play a critical role in both natural and industrial
processes, making them a cornerstone of chemical science. The project begins by
explaining the basic principles of oxidation and reduction, the identification of
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oxidizing and reducing agents, and the use of oxidation numbers to track changes in
chemical reactions.
Various types of redox reactions—such as combination, decomposition,
displacement, and disproportionation—are discussed with balanced chemical
equations. The project also explains methods used to balance redox equations,
including the oxidation number and half-reaction methods. A key focus is placed on
real-world applications of redox reactions in areas such as metallurgy, energy storage
(batteries), biological systems (respiration and photosynthesis), environmental
technologies (water treatment), and everyday uses like bleaching and combustion.
By connecting theory with practical applications, this project emphasizes the
importance of redox reactions in both scientific innovation and daily life. It aims to
enhance understanding of chemical behavior while illustrating the relevance of redox
processes in solving modern problems.
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this project is to:
1. Understand the concept of redox reactions, including oxidation, reduction, and
the transfer of electrons.
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2. Explore the different types of redox reactions, such as combination,
decomposition, displacement, and disproportionation reactions.
3. Learn to identify and balance redox reactions using oxidation numbers and the
ion-electron method.
4. Analyze the real-life applications of redox reactions in various fields, including
industry, biology, environmental science, and daily life.
5. Demonstrate practical knowledge of redox reactions through simple
experiments and examples.
6. Emphasize the significance of redox processes in scientific and technological
advancements.
Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................................
Redox Reactions – Applications......................................................................................................................
Uses of Redox Reactions in Daily Life............................................................................................................
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Introduction
Redox reactions, a combination of the terms reduction and oxidation, are fundamental
chemical processes in which electrons are transferred between substances. The term
"redox" itself is derived from the fusion of the words reduction and oxidation, as these
two processes always occur simultaneously in a chemical reaction. The interaction of
electrons is at the core of many chemical reactions that drive important natural and
industrial processes.
A redox reaction involves two key steps:
1. Oxidation – the process where a substance loses electrons. As a result, the
substance becomes more positively charged.
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2. Reduction – the process where a substance gains electrons, leading to a
decrease in its oxidation state (it becomes more negatively charged).
Since oxidation and reduction happen together, they are inseparable. In a redox
reaction, the substance that loses electrons is oxidized, and the one that gains
electrons is reduced. A simple way to remember this is the mnemonic "OIL RIG",
where:
• OIL = Oxidation Is Loss of electrons
• RIG = Reduction Is Gain of electrons
Oxidising agents are electron-accepting species that experience a decrease in
the oxidation state in a redox reaction. Reducing agents are electron-donating
species that experience an increase in the oxidation state in a redox reaction.
Reducing agents are oxidised and oxidising agents are reduced in redox
reactions.
• Any redox reaction can be split into two half-reactions namely, the oxidation
half-reaction and the reduction half-reaction.
• Each of these half-reactions must be balanced when written independently in
order for the number of electrons in each to be equal.
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Importance of Redox Reactions
Redox reactions are not just limited to laboratory experiments or theoretical
chemistry; they are central to many biological processes, industrial applications, and
everyday phenomena. For example:
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• In biology, redox reactions are key to energy production in cells. Cellular
respiration, where glucose is oxidized to produce energy, is a series of redox
reactions.
• In industry, redox reactions are crucial for processes like the extraction of
metals, electroplating, and battery operation. They are the heart of
electrochemical cells like galvanic cells, which are used in batteries to power
everything from smartphones to electric vehicles.
• In nature, redox processes are responsible for the rusting of iron, the natural
formation of elements in stars, and even the energy cycles of the Earth’s
atmosphere.
The ability of a substance to gain or lose electrons—also known as its oxidizing or
reducing power—is what makes redox reactions useful in diverse applications.
For example, an oxidizing agent (often a substance that gains electrons) is responsible
for oxidizing another substance, while a reducing agent (which donates electrons)
causes the reduction of another substance. A key example of an oxidizing agent is
oxygen, which readily accepts electrons to form oxide compounds (e.g., iron oxide or
rust).
Historical Significance
The study of redox reactions dates back to the early 19th century, and its
understanding has had profound effects on fields such as chemistry, biology, and
physics. The discovery of the concept of oxidation by scientists like Antoine Lavoisier
and later, the detailed study of electrochemical cells by Michael Faraday, laid the
foundation for the development of modern chemistry. Redox reactions have since
played a role in major scientific breakthroughs, such as the development of electricity
generation, batteries, and fuel cells.
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Redox Reactions – Applications
1. Applications of Redox Reaction in Electrochemistry
The redox reaction mechanism is used to release electrical energy from a battery that
generates a direct current. Our daily lives, which rely on redox processes, use
batteries, also referred to as electrochemical cells. For instance, the most simple
example is the button cells or dry cells which are used in our remote controls, clocks
and watches.
Daniell cell is an example of a galvanic cell or electrochemical cell, which converts
chemical energy into electrical energy. Copper ions are reduced at the cathode and
zinc ions are oxidised at the anode in the Daniell cell.
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2. Application of Redox Reaction in Combustion
Combustion falls within the category of an oxidation-reduction reaction, making it a
redox reaction. An explosion is a form of combustion and is typically classified as a
redox reaction. Space rockets use redox reactions as their internal mechanism. An
oxidation-reduction reaction results from the mixture of ammonium perchlorate and
powdered aluminium inside the rocket boosters. The aluminium powder acts as the
fuel and ammonium perchlorate acts as the oxidiser.
For example, the combustion of methane can be expressed using the chemical
equation given below.
CH4(g) + 2O2(g) CO2(g) + 2H2O(g)
Oxygen (O2) is reduced and the other elements carbon and hydrogen are oxidised
during combustions. O2 is the most common oxidising agent on Earth due to its
abundance in the atmosphere.
3. Redox Reaction in Photosynthesis applications
Photosynthesis is the conversion of water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates in
green plants.
The reaction involved is
6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2
In the aforementioned reaction, it can be seen that the water molecules are oxidised to
oxygen while the carbon dioxide is brought down to carbohydrates, forming a redox
reaction. Sunlight provides the necessary heat energy for this reaction to take place.
An important source of nourishment for both plants and animals is provided by this
reaction.
4. Redox Reaction in Photographic Films
Silver bromide is used in photography as a component of an emulsion that aids in the
development of a photographic image. Because the grains of silver bromide are
lightsensitive and suspended in gelatin, they can be used to make photographic
emulsions. Silver bromide breaks down when exposed to light, which helps to
preserve photographs.
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Uses of Redox
Reactions in Daily Life
1. Redox reactions are used in the electroplating process to apply a thin layer of a
substance to an item. Gold-plated jewellery is made using an electroplating
process.
2. Electrolysis, which is dependent on redox processes, is used to purify metals.
3. Additionally, oxidation-reduction reactions are used to sanitize water and bleach
materials.
4. Redox reactions are used in the production of many chemicals, including chlorine
and caustic soda.
5. By attaching them to sacrificial anodes, which go through corrosion instead, many
metal surfaces can be shielded against corrosion. The galvanization of steel is a
typical illustration of this method.
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6. In order to produce cleaning goods, enterprises use the oxidation process.
7. The oxidation reaction of ammonia results in the production of nitric acid, which is
a component of many fertilisers
8. Alcohol absorption into the bloodstream is correlated with alcohol concentration in
alveolar air. The oxidising agents in the gadget oxidise the ethanol present in the
breath when the user breathes into it.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, redox reactions play a vital role in both natural processes and numerous
industrial applications. These reactions, which involve the transfer of electrons
between substances, are foundational to processes such as respiration, combustion,
corrosion, and photosynthesis. Moreover, they are extensively utilized in
electrochemical cells, batteries, metal extraction, and water purification.
Understanding redox reactions not only enhances our knowledge of basic chemistry
but also empowers us to harness these processes for technological advancement and
environmental sustainability. As science progresses, the continued exploration of
redox reactions will undoubtedly lead to more innovative and eco-friendly
applications in various fields.
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REFERENCE
• Brown, T. L., LeMay, H. E., Bursten, B. E., & Murphy, C. J. (2015).
Chemistry: The Central Science (13th ed.). Pearson Education.
• Zumdahl, S. S., & Zumdahl, S. A. (2020). Chemistry (11th ed.). Cengage
Learning.
• Petrucci, R. H., Herring, F. G., Madura, J. D., & Bissonnette, C. (2017).
General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications (11th ed.). Pearson.
• Khan Academy. (n.d.). Redox reactions. Retrieved from
https://www.khanacademy.org
• LibreTexts. (2023). Redox Reactions. Chemistry LibreTexts. Retrieved from
https://chem.libretexts.org
• aakash. Applications of Redox Reactions - Redox Reactions and their
Applications, Practice Problems and FAQ .Retrieved from
https://www.aakash.ac.in/
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