Question

Explain the following in terms of gain of oxygen with two examples each. Reduction

Answer 1

Reduction reaction:-

• Reduction reaction is a type of reaction where an element or a molecule either loses oxygen or gains hydrogen.
• We can say when an element loses oxygen, is said to be reduced.
• An example is the reaction of Zinc oxide with Carbon:

$\underset{\mathrm{Zinc}\mathrm{oxide}}{\mathrm{ZnO}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Carbon}}{\mathrm{C}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Zinc}}{\mathrm{Zn}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{monoxide}}{\mathrm{CO}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}$

• Here, ZInc oxide is being reduced as it is losing oxygen and forming Zinc.
• Another example is the reaction of Ferric oxide with Carbon monoxide:

$\underset{\mathrm{Ferric}\left(\mathrm{III}\right)\mathrm{oxide}}{{\mathrm{Fe}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{monoxide}}{3\mathrm{CO}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Iron}}{2\mathrm{Fe}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{dioxide}}{3{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}$

• Here, Ferric(III) oxide is being reduced as it is losing oxygen and forming Iron.