Which statement defines oxidation?

Which statement defines oxidation?

• A. Combustion
• B. Precipitation
• C. Reduction
• D. Oxidation

Answer: (D)

Oxidation is the process where a substance loses electrons, which means its oxidation state increases. It’s often described in older terms as the addition of oxygen or the removal of hydrogen, but the precise definition in redox chemistry is electron loss. That’s why this statement is the best: it directly matches the definition of oxidation. The others describe different ideas: combustion is a rapid, energy-releasing oxidation but not the definition itself; precipitation is the formation of a solid from solution; reduction is the opposite process, involving gain of electrons. An example of oxidation is Fe -> Fe2+ + 2e-, where iron loses electrons.

Oxidation is the process where a substance loses electrons, which means its oxidation state increases. It’s often described in older terms as the addition of oxygen or the removal of hydrogen, but the precise definition in redox chemistry is electron loss.

That’s why this statement is the best: it directly matches the definition of oxidation. The others describe different ideas: combustion is a rapid, energy-releasing oxidation but not the definition itself; precipitation is the formation of a solid from solution; reduction is the opposite process, involving gain of electrons. An example of oxidation is Fe -> Fe2+ + 2e-, where iron loses electrons.