Final answer:
Oxidation involves the loss of electrons whereas reduction involves the gain of electrons. In the reaction 2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂, sodium is oxidized to sodium hydroxide and water is reduced to hydrogen gas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer can be understood as processes where one atom gains electrons (reduction), and another loses electrons (oxidation). In the context of the reaction 2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂, we can interpret it as following:
- Sodium (Na) gets oxidized as it loses electrons to form NaOH, where its oxidation state goes from 0 in elemental sodium to +1 in sodium hydroxide.
- Water (H₂O) acts as the oxidizing agent, accepting the electrons to form hydrogen gas (H₂) and gets reduced in the process as it gains electrons.
This is a classic example of a redox reaction where oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously.