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Oxidation is a fundamental concept in chemistry, commonly encountered in redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions. To determine the correct answer to the question, let’s carefully examine each of the given options.
(a) Addition of oxygen
Traditionally, oxidation was first described as the process in which a substance combines with oxygen. For example, when magnesium burns in air, it reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide:
2Mg+O2→2MgO2Mg + O_2 → 2MgO2Mg+O2→2MgO
This reaction involves the addition of oxygen to magnesium. Hence, this option is a correct representation of oxidation in classical terms.
(b) Removal of hydrogen
Later, the definition of oxidation was expanded beyond just oxygen. In reactions involving organic compounds, oxidation can also mean the removal of hydrogen. For example, in the oxidation of ethanol to acetic acid:
CH3CH2OH→CH3COOHCH_3CH_2OH → CH_3COOHCH3CH2OH→CH3COOH
Here, hydrogen atoms are removed from ethanol, making this an oxidation process. Thus, this option is also correct.
(c) Loss of electrons
In modern chemistry, oxidation is most accurately defined as the loss of electrons. This is applicable in ionic reactions and is considered the most general and universally accepted definition. For instance, in the reaction:
Fe→Fe2++2e−Fe → Fe^{2+} + 2e^-Fe→Fe2++2e−
Iron loses electrons and is oxidized. So, this option represents the core concept of oxidation in terms of electron transfer.
(d) All of the above
Given that all the previous options (a), (b), and (c) are valid descriptions of oxidation under different contexts—classical, organic, and modern electrochemical—the correct answer must be: (d) All of the above
Oxidation can involve adding oxygen, removing hydrogen, or losing electrons. These are different perspectives of the same process observed in various types of chemical reactions. Therefore, the most comprehensive and correct answer to the question is option (d) – All of the above.
Common Doubts on Chemistry:
