Question

Why is gaining electrons called reduction?

Answer 1

Every atom is composed of a nucleus and this nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons where protons are positively charged and neutrons are neutral in charge and electrons which are negatively charged are revolving around the nucleus.

Complete answer:
Chemical reactions are those reactions in which electrons are transferred between the reactants participating in the chemical reaction. The transfer of electrons involves the changes in the oxidation state of the reacting species.
Electrons carry negative charge on it now during chemical reactions, two types of reaction generally known by the name oxidation and reduction. Oxidation process occurs when it loses the electrons while reduction is the process in which gain of electrons takes place.
Why gaining electrons is known as reduction this can be explained by taking an example, as we know that electrons carries negative charge so consider a compound having oxidation state of +3 and when it gains two electrons then the oxidation state of that atom will be +2, hence here we can see that oxidation state of an atom is reduced by 2. This is the reason why gaining of electrons is known as reduction. On the other hand, the oxidation state of an atom increases while oxidation.
Let us understand the reduction process with an example. When zinc in its +2 oxidation state gains two electrons then it reduces to zinc having 0 oxidation state. The reaction given below:
$Z{{n}^{2+}}+2{{e}^{-}}\to Zn$

Note:
Oxidation is defined as the loss of electrons or we can say that increase in the oxidation state of an atom, ion or molecule while reduction can be defined as the gain of electrons or decreases in the oxidation state of any given atom, ion or molecule.