Oxidation: - A chemical reaction in which an atom or molecule loses electrons to another atom or molecule. - This process involves the atom or molecule beco...
Oxidation:
A chemical reaction in which an atom or molecule loses electrons to another atom or molecule.
This process involves the atom or molecule becoming oxidized, meaning its atoms become more positively charged.
Oxidation can occur when an atom or molecule gains electrons, or when it loses electrons.
Reduction:
A chemical reaction in which an atom or molecule gains electrons from another atom or molecule.
This process involves the atom or molecule becoming negatively charged.
Reduction can occur when an atom or molecule loses electrons, or when it gains electrons.
Examples:
Oxidation: When hydrogen combines with oxygen to form water, each hydrogen atom donates an electron to the oxygen atom, resulting in the oxidation of both atoms.
Reduction: When iron reacts with hydrochloric acid, the iron atoms are reduced, meaning they gain electrons, while the hydrogen ions from the acid lose electrons and become hydrogen atoms.
Key Differences:
Oxidation involves the loss of electrons, while reduction involves the gain of electrons.
Oxidation is typically characterized by the gain of oxygen atoms, while reduction is typically characterized by the gain of hydrogen atoms.
Oxidation and reduction can occur simultaneously in a single chemical reaction