Question

Define the term oxidation?

Answer 1

The reaction in which a species loses one or more electron is known as oxidation reaction:

Example: $Zn\to Z{n}^{2+}+2e^{-}$

In the given reaction, Zn loses two electrons and undergoes oxidation reaction to form zinc cation.

Also, during the oxidation reaction, the oxidation number of species increases.

Example: During the oxidation of the zinc, the oxidation number of zinc increases from 0 to +2.