Explain the following in terms of gain or loss of oxygen with two examples each: (a) Oxidation (b) Reduction.

Explain the following in terms of gain or loss of oxygen with two exam

1.	Explain the following in terms of gain or loss of oxygen with two examples each: (a) Oxidation (b) Reduction.
Answer» Solution :(a) Oxidation: It is defined as a process which involves gain of oxygen. For EXAMPLE, (i) `underset("Megnesium")(2Mg(s))+underset("Oxygen")(O_(2)(g))rarrunderset("Magnesium oxide")(2MgO(s))` Here, Mg has gained oxygen to FORM MgO. Hence, Mg has been oxidised to MgO. (ii) `underset("Copper")(2CU(s))+underset("Oxygen")(O_(2)(g))overset("Heat")rarrunderset("Copper oxide")(2CuO(s))` In this REACTION, CU has gained oxygen to form CuO. Thus, Cu is oxidised to copper oxide (CuO). (b) Reduction: It is defined as the process which involves loss of oxygen. For example, (i) `underset("Copper oxide")(CuO)+underset("Hydrogen")(H_(2))overset("Heat")rarrunderset("Copper")(Cu)+underset("Water")(H_(2)O)` In this reaction, copper oxide is losing oxygen. So, it is being reduced to copper. (ii) `underset("Zinc oxide")(ZnO)+underset("Carbon")(C)overset("Heat")rarrunderset("Zinc")(Zn)+underset("Carbon monoxide")(CO)` In this reaction, zinc oxide is losing oxygen. So it is being reduced to zinc.