Explain the following in terms of gain or loss of oxygen with two examples each. (a) Oxidation (b) Reduction
Question:
Explain the following in terms of gain or loss of oxygen with two examples each.
(a) Oxidation
(b) Reduction
Solution:
(a) Oxidation is the gain of oxygen. For example,
In equation (i), $\mathrm{H}_{2}$ is oxidized to $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}$ and in equation (ii), $\mathrm{Cu}$ is oxidised to $\mathrm{CuO}$.
(b) Reduction is the loss of oxygen.
For example,
In equation (i), $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ is reduced to $\mathrm{CO}$ and in equation (ii), $\mathrm{CuO}$ is reduced to $\mathrm{Cu}$.