Question

Oxidation means ___________ of ${{O}_{2}}$ and reduction means ___________ of hydrogen.

Answer 1

Oxidation is defined as the loss of electrons during a reaction. When oxidation takes place it results in the increase in the oxidation state. Reduction is defined as the gain of electrons during a reaction. During reduction, decrease in oxidation state takes place.

Complete step-by-step answer:
We can explain oxidation by many definitions-
-In terms of oxygen transfer, oxidation is defined as the gain of oxygen
-In terms of electron transfer we can define oxidation when loss of electrons takes place.
-In terms of hydrogen transfer we can define oxidation when loss of hydrogen takes place.
-In terms of oxidation state we can define oxidation when there is an increase in oxidation state.

Similarly we can explain reduction by many definition-
-In terms of oxygen transfer, reduction is defined as the loss of oxygen
-In terms of electron transfer, we can define reduction when gain of electrons takes place
-In terms of hydrogen transfer, we can define reduction when gain of hydrogen takes place.
-In terms of oxidation state, we can define reduction when there is a decrease in oxidation state.

Hence, oxidation means gain of oxygen and reduction means gain of hydrogen.

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. They sound similar hence you should know the meaning of both of them. Reduction is defined as the process when a substance reduces itself whereas reducing agent is defined as a substance that oxidises itself and reduces the other substance.