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What are oxidation and reduction? Explain the difference between them with the help of an example.
Oxidation is the loss of electrons or an increase in the oxidation state of an atom, an ion, or of certain atoms in a molecule.
Example: The reaction between magnesium metal and oxygen to form magnesium oxide involves the oxidation of magnesium.
2Mg(s) + O2(g) ------------ 2MgO(s) [Oxidation]
Reduction is the gain of electrons or a decrease in the oxidation state of an atom, an ion, or of certain atoms in a molecule.
Example: The reaction between magnesium oxide and carbon at 2000C to form magnesium metal and carbon monoxide is an example of the reduction of magnesium oxide to magnesium metal.
MgO(s) + C(s) ------------ Mg(s) + CO(g) [Reduction]
An oxidation-reduction reaction is also known as a redox reaction.
The difference between Oxidation and Reduction is as follows:
| OXIDATION | REDUCTION |
| 1. Removal or loss of electrons. | Addition or gain of electrons. |
| 2. Removal of Hydrogen. | Addition of Hydrogen. |
| 3. Addition of Oxygen. | Removal of Oxygen. |
| 4. All the reactions release energy. | All the reactions store energy. |
| 5. Results in a compound with lower potential energy. | Results in a compound with higher potential energy. |
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