Editing Shaking Solution (section)

===Full Explanation===

Reduction-Oxidation reactions, or ''Redox Reactions'', are a type of reaction that relies on the transfer of electrons. ''Reduction'' is when electrons are gained, usually by the loss of an oxygen. ''Oxidation'' is when electrons are lost, usually by the gain of an oxygen. A helpful way to remember this is with the phrase "'''LEO''' says '''GER'''". The letters in '''LEO''' stand for '''L'''oss '''E'''quals '''O'''xidation, and '''GER''' stands for '''G'''ain '''E'''quals '''R'''eduction.

In this experiment, we are seeing a color change when the oxidation of the indicator takes place. For this to happen, however, we need to first have our indicator be reduced. What is often missed during this demonstration is that, when we shake the solution, we are effectively ''reversing'' a step of the reaction that took place. This is why it will always go back to clear at the end, since the reaction will then go forward. There are four reaction steps to this demonstration, as listed here:

{| class="wikitable" style="color:black; background-color:#ddd; text-align: left; margin: auto; float: right"
|+Shaking Solution Reaction Steps
|1. Sugar Oxidation
|C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>12</sub>O<sub>6(aq)</sub> '''+''' 2NaOH<sub>(aq)</sub> '''&rArr;''' C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>12</sub>O<sub>7(aq)</sub> '''+''' 2Na<sup>+</sup><sub>(aq)</sub> '''+''' H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>(l)</sub> '''+''' 2e<sup>-</sup>
|-
|2. Gluconic Acid Ionization
|C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>12</sub>O<sub>7(aq)</sub> '''&rArr;''' C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>11</sub>O<sub>7</sub><sup>-</sup><sub>(aq)</sub> '''+''' H<sup>+</sup><sub>(aq)</sub>
|-
|3. Indicator Reduction
(via Gluconic Acid)
|'''Methylene Blue:''' C<sub>16</sub>H<sub>18</sub>N<sub>3</sub>S<sup>+</sup><sub>(aq)</sub> (Blue) '''+''' H<sup>+</sup><sub>(aq)</sub> '''+''' 2e<sup>-</sup> '''&rArr;''' C<sub>16</sub>H<sub>19</sub>N<sub>3</sub>S<sub>(aq)</sub> (Colorless)
'''Resazurin:''' C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>7</sub>NO<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup><sub>(aq)</sub> (Purple/Pink) '''+''' 2H<sup>+</sup><sub>(aq)</sub> '''+'''e<sup>-</sup> '''&rArr;''' C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>7</sub>NO<sub>3(aq)</sub> (Teal) '''+''' H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>(l)</sub>
|-
|4. Indicator Oxidation
(via dissolved O<sub>2</sub>)
|'''Methylene Blue:''' 2C<sub>16</sub>H<sub>19</sub>N<sub>3</sub>S<sub>(aq)</sub> (Colorless) '''+''' O<sup>2-</sup><sub>(aq)</sub> '''&rArr;''' 2C<sub>16</sub>H<sub>18</sub>N<sub>3</sub>S<sup>+</sup><sub>(aq)</sub> (Blue) '''+''' H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>(l)</sub>
'''Resazurin:''' C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>7</sub>NO<sub>3(aq)</sub> (Teal) '''+''' O<sup>2-</sup><sub>(aq)</sub> '''&rArr;''' C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>7</sub>NO<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup><sub>(aq)</sub> (Purple/Pink) '''+''' e<sup>-</sup>
|}

* In step one, the initial reaction is between the sodium hydroxide and dextrose turns the dextrose into gluconic acid, and frees two electrons. This means it was oxidized, since it lost electrons, and the NaOH was reduced, since it gained electrons. The gluconic acid also happened to gain an oxygen, which is another indicator for oxidation. What is important to note for this step is that it is ''catalyzed'' by the indicator; that is to say, the indicator actually plays an active role in this reaction, which is unusual. This catalysis is explained in step three.
* In step two, we see the gluconic acid being ionized into gluconate and a free hydrogen. Gluconic acid is a weak acid, so although it does react much with the solution it is in, it will act as a buffer and ionize slowly. This produces a free hydrogen, and the gluconate ion will partner with the sodium ion from the first step.
* In step three, the hydrogen, combined with the two extra electrons, changes the color of the solution. The indicators we use is either Methylene Blue or Resazurin, both of which are redox indicators, meaning that they will have a color shift when a redox reaction happens. However, in this case the indicator is playing an active role in the reaction, and causes the sugar oxidation to be catalyzed. Both of the indicators will bond with a positive ion, so they will initially try to partner with the free Na<sup>+</sup>. This causes the pH of the solution to change, which means the gluconic acid buffer will ionize faster to prevent the indicator from bonding with the free Na<sup>+</sup>. This results in the indicator bonding instead with the H<sup>+</sup> and removing electrons from the solution, which encourages the sugar oxidation to happen faster.
* Step four is after the initial reduction, and when the solutions are ready for presenting. When you shake the solution, oxygen will be dissolved into it. The dissolved Oxygen will react with the indicators, Oxidizing them and causing a color change. When this happens, the now-oxidized indicators will again try to bond with the Na<sup>+</sup> ion. This triggers another gluconic acid buffer response, and will accelerate the ionization until the solution is once again reduced. As long as there is enough gluconic acid in solution, and so long as there are some extra electrons in solution, then you will be able to shake the solution and cause the color change! 

Due to the amount of indicator being so low compared to the other reactants, This reaction is able to happen a lot, and for a long while. After a few hours, the solution will change color slightly, and then stop working. It stops working due to the lack of free electrons and H<sup>+</sup> to make the reverse reaction happen. The color change happens because, after expending all of the extra Hydrogen and electrons, the indicators will bond with some of the other ions in solution, such as the gluconate and Na<sup>+</sup>, and become unable to do their proper color changes.