Question

How would you define oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer?

Answer 1

‌When oxidation takes place it results in the increase in the oxidation state. It is used to describe the reaction when an element combines with oxygen and results in an oxidation process. During reduction, decrease in oxidation state takes place.

Complete answer:
Oxidation number can be defined as when ionic bonds are formed with other heteroatoms, a charge is formed on that atom. If an atom has high electronegativity then it shows negative oxidation state. It always forms ionic bonds by gaining or losing electrons. As we know that atoms have multiple valence electrons and they form multiple bonds with all the atoms. They are considered as ionic and the oxidation state is equal to the number of electrons involved during bonding.
The ionization energy will be high when the atom contains a larger charge and becomes difficult to remove an electron.
Oxidation is a chemical process that can be defined in many ways-
Oxidation in terms of electron transfer- when loss of electrons takes place in a chemical reaction then that process is known as oxidation. A substance will acquire positive charge when a loss of electrons takes place and that atom is said to be oxidised.
Let us take an example-
$Zn-2{{e}^{-}}\to Z{{n}^{2+}}$
Oxidation in terms of oxygen transfer- when gain of oxygen takes place in a chemical reaction then that process is known as oxidation.
Reduction is a chemical process that can be explained in many ways-
Reduction in terms of electron transfer- when gain of electrons takes place in a chemical reaction then that process is known as reduction. A substance acquires negative charge when gain of electrons takes place and that atom is said to be reduced.
Let us take an example-
$C{{u}^{2+}}+2{{e}^{-}}\to Cu$
Reduction in terms of oxygen transfer- when loss of oxygen takes place in a chemical reaction then that process is known as reduction.

Note: Sometimes you might get confused between oxidising agents and oxidation. Oxidation is a process which oxidises itself in a chemical reaction whereas oxidising agents are the substances that itself get reduced and oxidised the other atoms. Reducing agents are the substances that oxidises itself and reduces other substances whereas reduction is a process which reduces itself in a chemical reaction. They sound similar hence you should know the meaning of both of them.