= Reduction
{disambiguate=chemistry}
= Reduction
{synonym}
A <reduction> decreases an <oxidation state>, recording gain in the formal <electron> assignment. For $\mathrm{Cu}^{2+}+2e^-\to\mathrm{Cu}$, the decrease is $+2\to0$. The reduced <chemical species> serves as the <oxidizing agent> in the coupled <redox>.<Chemistry 2e by Paul Flowers and others>[§4.2, “Oxidation-Reduction Reactions”: reduction as decreasing oxidation number]{ref}
In the <electrochemistry> examples here, <reduction> is gain of <electrons> by a <chemical species>; it occurs at the <cathode>. That <electrode> definition holds in both a <galvanic cell> and an <electrolytic cell>; it does not fix terminal polarity.
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