What does oxidation refer to in general?

What does oxidation refer to in general?

• A. Loss Of Electrons
• B. Gain Of Electrons
• C. Change In Oxidation State Only For Metals
• D. Transfer Of Protons

Answer: (A)

Oxidation is the loss of electrons during a chemical change, which raises the oxidation state of the species involved. In redox processes, one substance loses electrons (is oxidized) and another gains those electrons (is reduced). The historical link to oxygen is just a mnemonic; the real test is electron bookkeeping, not the presence of oxygen. For example, a metal like magnesium must lose electrons to become Mg2+, changing its oxidation state from 0 to +2. This concept applies to both metals and nonmetals. Gaining electrons describes reduction, not oxidation; the oxidation state can change for many elements, not just metals; and proton transfer belongs to acid–base chemistry, not oxidation.

Oxidation is the loss of electrons during a chemical change, which raises the oxidation state of the species involved. In redox processes, one substance loses electrons (is oxidized) and another gains those electrons (is reduced). The historical link to oxygen is just a mnemonic; the real test is electron bookkeeping, not the presence of oxygen. For example, a metal like magnesium must lose electrons to become Mg2+, changing its oxidation state from 0 to +2. This concept applies to both metals and nonmetals. Gaining electrons describes reduction, not oxidation; the oxidation state can change for many elements, not just metals; and proton transfer belongs to acid–base chemistry, not oxidation.