“STUDY OF REDOX REACTION”

A PROJECT WORK SUBMITTED FOR THE PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF

REQUIREMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT OF GRADE-11 SCIENCE IN
CHEMISTRY

SUBMITTED BY:
Tilak Pun
Symbol No: 12708900
ID NO: SC24-0061
GRADE 11 (DJ1)

TRINITY INTERNATIONAL SS & COLLEGE

NATIONAL EDUCATION BOARD (NEB)
DILLIBAZAR HEIGHT, KATHMANDU, NEPAL
2025 /04 /30
 CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

The project work entitled "STUDY OF REDOX REACTION" by Mr. Tilak Pun [ID
NO:SC24-0061] under the supervision of "Reena Pal and Bhesraj Subedi” of Trinity
International SS &College, Nepal, is hereby submitted for the partial fulfillment of the
requirement of Chemistry in Grade 11. This project was not submitted to any other school
or institution previously for the award of Grade 11.

Supervisor: Head of the Department

Name: Reena Pal and Bheshraj Subedi Name: Mohan Raj Bhattarai

Department of Chemistry Department of Chemistry

Trinity International SS & College Trinity International SS &

College

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 RECOMMENDATION LETTER

This is to certify that the project work entitled “STUDY OF REDOX REACTION” has
been carried out by Tilak Pun as the partial fulfillment of grade 11 in Chemistry under my
supervision. To the best of my knowledge, this work has not been submitted for any other
purpose in this institute. I, therefore recommend the project work report for appraisal.

Supervisor’s signature

Name: Reena Pal and Bheshraj Subedi

Department of Chemistry

Trinity International SS/ College

Date:2081/12/27

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 DECLARATION

I Ritesh Kumar Sah hereby declare that the project work entitled "STUDY OF REDOX
REACTION" under the supervision of " Reena Pal and Bhesraj Subedi”of Trinity
International SS & College, Nepal, presented here in is genuine work done originally by
me and has not been published or submitted elsewhere for the requirement of any degree
program. Any literature, data, or works done by others and cited in this project work has
been given due acknowledgment and listed in the reference section.

Signature
Name: Tilak Pun

Grade:11 DJ1

Trinity International SS &College

Date: 2081/12/27

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to my subject teacher Mrs.
Reena Pal and Mr. Bheshraj Subedi, his coinstantaneous help, advice, information and
encouragement in this project.

I feel immense pleasure to present my lab report after a long work. Besides my effort, the
help and guidelines given by many others haven’t been unnoticed. I express my gratitude
to all those countless people for the support for me in doing this project.

I express my thanks to Trinity International College for it has been a source of the creation
of this project and the support, valuable information, resources and guidance given to me
to do this project.

I am also grateful and indebted to my beloved friends for their immeasurable help, support
and encouragement from the beginning to the end of the project without whom this project
would not have been a reality.

Last but not the least I would like to thank my parents, family members, friends, this
College and other who help me for their guidance and support.

Tilak Pun

2025/04/30

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover page……………………………………………………………...……….....I
Approval sheet…………………………………………………………………….II
Letter of recommendation…………………………………………………….….III
Declaration……………………………………………………………….….…....IV
Acknowledgment…………………………………………………………….…....V
Chapter I: Introduction…………………………………………….…...………..1
i. Background Of Study…………………………………………….…………1
Chapter II: Literature Review…………………………………………………..3
Chapter III: Result and Discussion………………………………………....….4

Chapter IV: Conclusion and Recommendations ..…………………….…….....6

Reference………………………………………………………………………....7
 Chapter – I Introduction
Background of Study
The concept of redox reaction has long history . It was first observed in process like the burning
of wood and rusting of iron . The concept of redox dates back to early studies of combustion
and rusting where scientist observe the role of oxygen . Over time, the definition expanded to
include any electron transfer process . Later, scientists discovered that these process also
involved electron transfer . This led to a broader definition of redox reaction based on change
in electron ownership not just the involvement of oxygen . As science progressed, it became
clear that many essential life process depend on redox reaction, even at microscopic level.
Redox reaction are fundamental to the way energy is generated and used both in living
organisms and in technology. The following are historical development of redox reaction :

1)EARLY OBSERVATION OF COMBUSTION AND METALS

Early civilization observed transformation of metals through process involving heating and
burning (smelting) . The philosopher Empedocles speculate about the nature of substances and
their transformations.

2) TRANSITION TO CHEMISTRY

Alchemists studied reactions such as rusting of metals and burning of substances . Their
practical experiments leaded to further chemical reaction.

3) PHILOGISTON THEORY

In 1667, Georg Ernst Stahl proposed that a substance called phlogiston ( hypothetical
substance proposed in seventeenth century to explain rusting and combustion) was released
during combustion.

4) OXYGEN AND MODERN CHEMISTRY

Joseph priestly and Carl Wilhelm Scheele independently discovered oxygen . Antoine
Lavoisier demonstrated that combustion was a chemical reaction containing oxygen,
disproving the phlogiston theory and also he introduced concept of oxidation as a combination
of substance with oxygen.

5) ELECTROCHEMISTRY

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Scientist started researching about electrons and chemical reaction of it after invention of
battery . Humphry Davy recognized reduction involved gain of hydrogen or loss of oxygen
and Friedrich Wohler formalized idea of oxidation as loss of electron and reduction as gain of
electrons.

6) ELECTRON TRANSFER THEORY

Gilbert N. Lewis and others identified redox reactions in term of electron transfer . This unified
the understanding of oxidation as electron loss and reduction as gain of electrons.
This theories and historical background of redox reaction highlights that redox reaction has
been central to many scientific advances . The background of redox reaction shows how
essential they are to both science and everyday life . They play a key role in important
natural processes such as respiration and photosynthesis as well as in modern technology like
batteries and cleaning agents . Understanding the history and basic concept of redox reaction
helps us recognize their importance in the world around us . As we continue to explore
energy solutions and environmental changes, redox chemistry remains a key area Of
scientific progress

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 Chapter - II Literature Review
A redox reaction (short for reduction-oxidation reaction) is a chemical reaction in which
electrons are transferred between substances.

Applications of Redox Reactions in Daily Life

1. Batteries o Redox reactions power batteries in phones, cars, flashlights, etc. (e.g.,
lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries).

2. Metallurgy o Extraction of metals from ores often uses redox processes (e.g., extracting
iron from iron oxide using carbon).

3. Water Purification o Redox reactions are used to remove harmful substances like
chlorine or iron from drinking water.

4. Food Preservation o Antioxidants in food prevent oxidation (which can spoil food), a
key concept in food packaging.

5. Bleaching
o Substances likechlorine or hydrogen peroxide use redox reactions to remove stains
and whiten clothes.
6. Fuel Combustion o Cars, stoves, and heaters all rely on redox reactions to burn fuel
and produce energy.

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 Chapter - III Results and Discussion
Redox reaction

Redox reactions means reduction-oxidation reactions, are a type of chemical reaction

that involve the transfer of electrons between substances. In these reactions, one
substance loses electrons, which is known as oxidation, while another substance gains
those electrons, which is known as reduction. The two processes always occur together
because electrons cannot simply disappear; they must be accepted by another substance.
A helpful way to remember this is the phrase “OIL RIG,” which stands for “Oxidation
Is Loss” and “Reduction Is Gain” of electrons. The substance that loses electrons and
undergoes oxidation is called the reducing agent, while the substance that gains electrons
and undergoes reduction is called the oxidizing agent. Redox reactions are extremely
important in both natural processes and everyday applications. For instance, when iron
rusts, it reacts with oxygen in the air in a redox reaction, with iron being oxidized and
oxygen being reduced to form iron oxide. Similarly, batteries operate based on redox
reactions, where electrons flow from one material to another, generating electrical
energy. In living organisms, redox reactions are crucial for processes such as cellular
respiration, where glucose is oxidized to release energy required for survival. These
reactions also occur in photosynthesis, combustion, corrosion, and even in water
purification.

Understanding redox reactions is essential in chemistry because they help explain how
substances interact, how energy is transferred, and how matter changes in both industrial
and biological systems.A redox reaction is a chemical process where two things happen
at the same time: one substance loses electrons (this is called oxidation), and another
gains those electrons (this is called reduction).These reactions are essential in everyday
life. For example, when iron rusts, it loses electrons to oxygen in the air. In our bodies,
redox reactions help convert the food we eat into energy. Even in plants, redox reactions
play a role during photosynthesis, helping turn sunlight into food. So, redox reactions
are all around us, making many natural and technological processes possible.Redox
reactions, involving the transfer of electrons between substances, play a crucial role in
various daily life processes. One common example is the rusting of iron. When iron is
exposed to moisture and oxygen, it undergoes oxidation, forming iron oxide, commonly
known as rust. This process not only deteriorates metal structures but also necessitates
protective measures like painting or galvanization to prevent damage.Another vital
redox reaction is cellular respiration in living organisms. In this process, glucose is
oxidized to produce carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy that cells use for various
functions. Without this redox reaction, organisms wouldn’t be able to harness energy
from food. Also Combustion, a redox reaction, is integral to our daily activities. When
fuels like gasoline or natural gas burn, they react with oxygen, releasing energy in the
form of heat and light. This energy powers vehicles, heats homes, and cooks food.In the
realm of technology, batteries operate based on redox reactions. For instance, in a typical
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battery, one electrode undergoes oxidation while the other undergoes reduction,
facilitating the flow of electrons through an external circuit, thus providing electrical
energy to devices.Redox reactions are also employed in water purification processes.
Chlorine, a common disinfectant, oxidizes harmful microorganisms in water, rendering
it safe for consumption. Similarly, redox reactions are used in wastewater treatment to
remove contaminants.In the food industry, redox reactions help in preserving food.
Antioxidants are added to food products to prevent oxidation, which can lead to
spoilage. For example, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) acts as a reducing agent, preventing
the oxidation of food components and thereby extending shelf life.Moreover, redox
reactions are fundamental in biological processes like photosynthesis. Plants convert
carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight. Here, water is
oxidized, and carbon dioxide is reduced, storing energy in chemical bonds of glucose
.In summary, redox reactions are indispensable in daily life, underpinning essential
processes in nature.

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 Chapter -IV
Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusion:
As we learned about redox reactions, we came to know that how important and common they
are not just in science labs, but in our day to day life. At first, the idea of electrons moving
between substances seemed a bit abstract, but as we continue researching it and studied about
it, it seems to be easier . We found that every redox reaction involves one substance losing
electrons (oxidation) and another gaining them (reduction), and this simple exchange we can
observe and use in our day to day life, industry, biology and the environment.

By tracking oxidation numbers, we were able to figure out which substances were being
reduced or oxidized, and it was like solving little puzzles in every equation. Balancing redox
reactions also helped us to understand how nature always maintains balance—mass and
charge are never lost but just rearranged.

What really stood out to us was how redox reactions power so much of the world around us.
They make batteries work, help our bodies turn food into energy, and even cause iron to rust
when left in the rain. It’s very shocking to think that the same type of reaction happens inside
a human cell and inside a car battery. Redox reactions also play big roles in industries—
from cleaning up water to extracting metals from ores (metallurgy).

In the end, our biggest finding is that redox reactions are not just a topic in chemistry they’re
a part of everyday life. Understanding them gave us a easy way to understand the science
behind everyday things, and how small particles like electrons can create big changes.

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References
1. Opportunities of incorporating African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS) in
the chemistry curriculum M Sithole Alternation journal, 2016

2. Books: Surya kant kalauni , Ram Datt joshi , pioneer chemistry , revised Edition

3. Prof.Dr. P Wagley, NM Khadka ,SD Gautam , Comprehensive

Chemistry, Grade XI,2080, 15TH Edition

4. Report: An Exploration of Indigenous Knowledge Related to chemistry

Concepts Held by Senior Citizens in Chókwé,
Mozambique, Diane Grayson and Inocente Vasco Mutimucuio