Oxidation and Reduction 

There are many useful applications for the oxidation and reduction process.  One of the more common of these is the battery.  In a typical dry cell battery, external current flows from the anode (reduction) to the cathode (oxidation).  This external current can be used to perform work, i.e. light a flashlight or play a radio.

There are also some problems that occur as a result of the oxidation reduction process.  One of the major problems consists of the uncontrolled process of corrosion.  Corrosion costs the United States an estimated 70 billion dollars a year.  Corrosion occurs at the surface of many metals including iron, silver, aluminum, and copper.