Oxidation is defined as

Oxidation is defined as

• A. gain of electrons (decrease in oxidation state)
• B. loss of electrons (increase in oxidation state)
• C. increase in mass
• D. loss of protons

Answer: (B)

Oxidation means the loss of electrons, which raises the oxidation state of the element. Since electrons are negatively charged, removing them makes the atom more positive, so the oxidation state increases. For example, a neutral magnesium atom loses two electrons to form Mg2+, its oxidation state rising from 0 to +2. Gaining electrons lowers the oxidation state and is called reduction. Changes in mass or losing protons aren’t how oxidation is defined—mass doesn’t necessarily change in redox, and losing protons is a nuclear process, not a redox one.

Oxidation means the loss of electrons, which raises the oxidation state of the element. Since electrons are negatively charged, removing them makes the atom more positive, so the oxidation state increases. For example, a neutral magnesium atom loses two electrons to form Mg2+, its oxidation state rising from 0 to +2. Gaining electrons lowers the oxidation state and is called reduction. Changes in mass or losing protons aren’t how oxidation is defined—mass doesn’t necessarily change in redox, and losing protons is a nuclear process, not a redox one.