Question

Explain the following in terms of gain or loss of oxygen with two examples each.
(a) Oxidation
(b) Reduction

Answer 1

Oxidation is gain of oxygen.

$2H_2+O_2\to 2H_{2}O$

The hydrogen is oxidized and the oxygen is reduced.

$N_2+O_2\to 2NO$

This formation of nitric oxide oxidizes the nitrogen and reduces the oxygen.

Reduction is the loss of oxygen from a substance. For example, copper oxide can be reduced to form copper if it is reacted with hydrogen:

$CuO+H_2\to Cu+H_{2}O$

Zinc oxide can be reduced to zinc metal if heated with carbon.

$ZnO+C\to Zn+CO$