Oxidation is defined as which?

Oxidation is defined as which?

• A. Reaction type characterized by the gain of electrons.
• B. A reaction involving the transfer of protons only.
• C. Reaction type characterized by the loss of electrons.
• D. A reaction that does not involve electrons.

Answer: (C)

Oxidation is the loss of electrons, which raises the oxidation state of the substance involved. In redox chemistry, one species is oxidized by giving up electrons while another is reduced by gaining electrons. A classic example is copper metal reacting to form copper(II) ions: Cu → Cu2+ + 2 e−, where electrons are shed. The other statements don’t fit because gaining electrons is reduction, not oxidation; transferring only protons isn’t how redox reactions are defined; and saying no electrons are involved contradicts the fundamental electron transfer in oxidation.

Oxidation is the loss of electrons, which raises the oxidation state of the substance involved. In redox chemistry, one species is oxidized by giving up electrons while another is reduced by gaining electrons. A classic example is copper metal reacting to form copper(II) ions: Cu → Cu2+ + 2 e−, where electrons are shed. The other statements don’t fit because gaining electrons is reduction, not oxidation; transferring only protons isn’t how redox reactions are defined; and saying no electrons are involved contradicts the fundamental electron transfer in oxidation.