Answer to Question #57502 in General Chemistry for Alishba

Question

Explain uses of redox reaction in daily life.

Answer 1

Redox reactions accompany many of the processes carried out in industry and in various spheres of life: the combustion gas in the gas stove, cooking, washing, cleaning household items, making shoes, perfumes, textiles.

We light a match, lit fireworks in the sky - all the redox processes.

For the purposes of disinfection and bleaching with oxidizing properties are the most suitable means such as hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, chlorine bleach or a bleaching powder, lime.

If desired oxidized product surface any substance is easily destroyed, hydrogen peroxide is used. It is used to bleach silk, feathers and fur. It will also help restore old paintings. In view of harmlessness to the body, hydrogen peroxide is used in the food industry for the bleaching of chocolate, scarring and shells in the production of sausages.

The disinfectant action of potassium permanganate, too, is based on its oxidative properties.

Chlorine is a strong oxidizing agent used for the sterilization of clean water and wastewater disinfection. The chlorine destroys many paints based on what its use in whitening fabrics and paper. Bleach or bleaching powder, lime - is one of the most common oxidizing agents both at home and on an industrial scale.

In nature, redox reactions are extremely common. They play an important role in biochemical processes: respiration, metabolism, nervous activity of humans and animals. The manifestation of various vital body functions associated with the expenditure of energy that our body gets from food as a result of redox reactions.

Redox reactions characterize the chemical properties of many materials that can be confirmed by experiment in a chemistry lab.