Identify the following reaction as either oxidation or reduction:
$O + 2 e^{-} \to O^{2 -}$

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Solution

Oxidation: Oxidation is said to take place when there is a loss of electrons.
Reduction: Reduction is said to take place when there is a gain of electrons.
In the given reaction, 2 electrons (e^-) are being added on the reactant side. It indicates that these two electrons are accepted by Oxygen (O) atom to form an Oxide ion (O^-2).
As there is a gain of 2 electrons, therefore this reaction is a reduction reaction.
Oxygen atom has 8 electrons and after undergoing reduction , it has a total of 10 electrons.
$O + 2 e^{-} \overset{Reduction}{\to} O^{2 -} (Oxygen atom) (Oxide ion) (2, 6) (2, 8)$

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