Question

Full difference between oxidation and reduction

Answer 1

Oxidation is the gaining of oxygen and losing of Hydrogen
Reduction is the gaining of hydrogen and losing of oxygen

An oxidising agent oxidises other substances.
Oxidising agent gets reduced while oxidising other substances.

A reducing agents reduces other substances .
Reducing agents get oxidised while reducing other substances.


Let us take an example :-

Zn + CO ---> ZnO + C

Here ,

Zn gets oxidised ( addition of oxygen ) and becomes ZnO (Zinc oxide )

Also ,
Carbonmonoxide (CO) gets reduced ( loses oxygen) and becomes Carbon (C)

Here ,

Zn is the reducing agent as it reduces CO and becomes ZnO.
Also , CO is the oxidising agent as it oxidises zinc .


Summary :-

1) Oxidation ---> { Gaining of Oxygen OR Reduction of Hydrogen }
2) Reduction ---> { Gaining of Hydrogen OR Reduction of Oxygen }
3) Reducing agents gets oxidised in the reaction
4) Oxidising agents gets reduced in the reaction