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Reduction is the gain of electrons. This can be an element which is becoming a negative ion, or a positive ion which is being turned into a free element. There are other possibilities, but these are the easiest to think of. The name 'reduction' originally referred to the reduction in mass when ores like iron ore were purified into a pure metal. The removal of other elements that the metal was chemically combined with produced pure metal with a reduced weight compared to the ore.

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11y ago
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7mo ago

When a substance is reduced, it gains electrons or its oxidation state decreases in a chemical reaction. This can involve the addition of hydrogen, removal of oxygen, or gaining of electrons. Reducing agents facilitate this process by donating electrons to the substance being reduced.

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8y ago

If a substance is reduced it means that it has gained electrons, so has a more negative charge so its 'positivity' has been reduced. Chlorine when reduced will form chloride ions but Potassium ions K+ when reduced will form Potassium metal.

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In a "reduction reaction" an element or compound molecule has a "gain" in electrons that results in a lower oxidation state. It is the opposite of an "oxidation reaction" wherein the element (or compound) loses electrons and has an increase in oxidation state.

For example, elemental carbon undergoes reduction when it combines with hydrogen to form methane gas. Also, benzene is reduced (also gains electrons from hydrogen) when it forms cyclohexane.

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Q: What does it mean for a substance to be reduced?
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What is the relationship between oxidising agent and the reduced substance?

Its the substance reduced which is termed to be an oxidizing agent. When a substance is reduced, it loses electrons that are taken up by another substance thereby oxidizing another substance (oxidising agent).


When a substances gains electrons is it reduced?

Yes when any substance gains electrons , that substance is now then reduced.


A substance that can not be reduced to a simpler substance by chemical means?

An "element"


What does cinders mean?

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In a redox reaction, the substance that accepts electrons is said to be the substance reduced. This substance is also likely the oxidizing agent, since oxidation is the loss of electrons.


What substance is reduced in a lead storage battery?

The substance that is reduced in a lead battery as it generates electric currents is lead dioxide. You can recharge the battery by reversing the direction the current is flowing.


How can you determine whether a measured value of a substance represents an extensive property?

Its value will be reduced as the numbers of moles of the materials is reduced


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What does the term reduced mean in a chemical reaction?

In a chemical reaction, the term "reduced" refers to a substance gaining electrons or decreasing its oxidation state. This results in a decrease in the number of positive charges on the atom or molecule. Reduced substances are often involved in redox reactions where they act as electron acceptors.


Why a substance that oxidised is called a reducing agent and why a substance that is reduced is called an oxidising agent?

A substance that oxidizes is called a reducing agent because it causes another substance to gain electrons, which is a reduction process. Conversely, a substance that is reduced is called an oxidizing agent because it causes another substance to lose electrons, which is an oxidation process. This terminology is based on the transfer of electrons during redox reactions.


The energy carrier NAD is reduced to what substance?

NAD is an energy carrier which is involved in the process of glycolysis. It is reduced to NADH when a hydrogen atom is added.