Question

Oxidation (From most reduced to most oxidized).

A) Gain of electrons
B) Loss of electrons
C) Gain of protons
D) Loss of protons

Answer 1

Oxidation involves the loss of electrons, gain of oxygen, or loss of hydrogen, leading to an increase in the oxidation number. Reduction is the opposite, involving the gain of electrons, loss of oxygen, or gain of hydrogen, leading to a decrease in the oxidation number.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of redox reactions, oxidation refers to the loss of electrons. When an atom or molecule loses electrons, its oxidation state increases, or it can also mean the gain of oxygen or the loss of hydrogen. Conversely, reduction is characterized by the gain of electrons, a decrease in the oxidation state, or it could also mean the loss of oxygen or the gain of hydrogen atoms in a compound.

For instance, when carbon burns in oxygen to form carbon dioxide (C + O2 --> CO2), the carbon is being oxidized because it has lost electrons (its oxidation number increases from zero to +4). During this process, the oxygen is reduced because it gains electrons (its oxidation number decreases from zero to -2).