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Which of the following correctly describes an oxidation-reduction reaction?

A.The element that is oxidized increases in electronegativity, and the element that is reduced decreases in electronegativity.
B.The element that is oxidized decreases in electronegativity, and the element that is reduced increases in electronegativity.
C.The element that is oxidized loses electrons, and the element that is reduced gains electrons.
D.The element that is oxidized gains electrons, and the element that is reduced loses electrons.

User David Clarke
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2 Answers

19 votes
19 votes
C because an element loses electrons as it undergoes oxidation. However, when an element is reduced, it obtains electrons. Redox responses are founded on this.
User Alan Mroczek
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18 votes

Answer:

C. The element that is oxidized loses electrons, and the element that is reduced gains electrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

When an element is oxidized, it loses electrons. But when an element is reduced, it gains electrons. However, an oxidizing agent oxidizes something else, and gets reduced, therefore gaining electrons

User Cdrrr
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