Question

Explain oxidation and reduction from various perspectives with illustrative examples.

Answer 1

Oxidation

Reduction

Oxidation is the process of the addition of oxygen or the removal of hydrogen from a substance. It happens when a chemical species loses electrons. Oxidation occurs in reducing agents. The substance that removes oxygen or adds hydrogen is known as a reducing agent. Example for oxidation: $\underset{\mathrm{Magnesium}}{2\mathrm{Mg}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Oxygen}}{{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Magnesium}\mathrm{oxide}}{2\mathrm{MgO}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}$ In this reaction, oxygen is added to magnesium, and magnesium is oxidized to magnesium oxide.

Reduction is the process of the addition of hydrogen or the removal of oxygen from a substance. It happens when a chemical species gains electrons. Reduction occurs in oxidizing agents. The substance that removes hydrogen or adds oxygen is known as an oxidizing agent. Example for reduction: $\underset{\mathrm{Carbon}}{\mathrm{C}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Hydrogen}}{2{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Methane}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_4\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}$ Here, hydrogen gas is added to carbon, and carbon is reduced to methane gas.