Design of a lab "low-cost" for the redonx processes study

Abstract

Reduction oxidation reactions are chemical transformations of great practical importance, since study phenomena such as combustion of many substances, the oxidation of metals and production processes of energy from the batteries. Likewise, the redox reactions are particularly important in the metabolism of living beings. Cellular respiration and photosynthesis, for example, are metabolic pathways that pass through such reactions. Formerly it was understood as those oxidation processes in which a substance consumes oxygen and reduction to those where it is released. Later, reduction was accepted as those reactions in which hydrogen was consumed and oxidation in which it is was released. Currently it considered as redox reactions to those in which the state or degree of oxidation of the reacting species is changed because an exchange of electrons occurs between the reactants, although neither oxygen nor hydrogen are involved. For a redox reaction to take place it is necessary the presence of two species: those that yield electrons (reductant), and those accepting them (oxidant). After the redox reaction occurs, the reductant species becomes the oxidized form anf therefore the oxidant one becomes the reductant form. The concept of redox reactions is reminiscent from the Bronsted-Lowry acid - base reactions. Both involve the transfer of one or more charged particles from one given to an acceptor, being the electrons the responsible of the redox reactions, meanwhile the protons of the neutralization processes.