Oxidation and reduction always occur simultaneously, hence, the word “redox” was coined for this class of chemical reactions. In the following redox reaction, identify the species undergoing oxidation and reduction:
In the above reaction oxygen is transferred from Fe3O4 to Al, so Fe3O4 is reduced while Al is oxidised.
As per definition of oxidation and reduction , loss of oxygen i.e reduction occurs in Fe3O4 and gain of oxygen i.e Oxidation occurs in Al.