What happens in the oxidation reaction?
- A. Addition of oxygen
- B. Addition of hydrogen
- C. separation of oxygen
- D. receiving electrons
Answer: A. Addition of oxygen
Oxidation reaction involves the loss of electrons from a substance, often accompanied by the gain of oxygen. It’s one part of a redox reaction, which involves the transfer of electrons between two species.
Addition of oxygen: This is the most accurate definition of oxidation. When oxygen combines with another element or compound, it gains electrons from that substance, oxidizing it. For example, iron rusting is an oxidation reaction where iron loses electrons to oxygen, forming iron oxide. Iron rusting is a oxidation reaction.
Other options;
- Addition of hydrogen: Adding hydrogen is a reduction reaction, the opposite of oxidation.
- Separation of oxygen: This can be a result of oxidation, but it’s not the defining characteristic. In some cases, like the electrolysis of water, oxygen is separated from water molecules during oxidation, but the oxidation itself involves electron loss.
- Receiving electrons: This is the opposite of oxidation, which is the loss of electrons. Receiving electrons is reduction.