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reducibility

reducibility

8.4
How easily a chemical gains electrons during a reaction
  • noun
  • /rɪˈdjuːsəˌbɪlɪti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : reducibilidad
  • Scientists are interested in the reducibility of metals for use in batteries.

Examples

  • The reducibility of the compound was tested in various chemical environments to determine its ability to gain electrons.

  • Understanding the reducibility of minerals helps in designing efficient industrial processes.

  • The reducibility of the compound was tested in various chemical environments.

  • The reducibility of the compound was tested in the laboratory.

  • Understanding the reducibility of substances is crucial in chemistry.

  • Researchers explored the reducibility of metals, focusing on their potential to undergo reduction in battery applications.

  • By studying the reducibility of minerals, chemists aim to improve the efficiency of industrial processes that involve electron transfer.

How Reducible

reducibility
  • Specialized
8.4
irreducibility
  • Specialized
1 9.7

Surface Forms

reducibility singular

Morphology

reducibility = reducible (semi-transparent) = reduce + ible + ity

Morphologically regular (reduce → reducible → reducibility), but the chemical sense of 'reduce' (gain electrons) is technical and may not be obvious to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Reducibility comes from re- 'back' and ducere 'to lead', so it originally meant 'to lead back'. In chemistry, 'reduction' became the idea of bringing a substance back to a simpler or earlier state (for example, turning an oxide into a pure metal), so reducibility is the ability of a substance to be 'reduced' by gaining electrons.