Answer to Question #128624 in General Chemistry for Zach Strohmeyer

Question

What is an oxidation-reduction reaction? What does oxidation mean? What does reduction mean? What are the oxidation numbers for hydrogen and oxygen

Answer 1

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions are all reactions that involve the change of an oxidation number, and transfer of electrons among the reacting substances.

Oxidation is the loss of electrons. When a species loses electrons it is said to be oxidized:

Fe²⁺ – 1e=Fe³⁺

Reduction is the gain of electrons. When a species gains electrons it is said to be reduced:

MnO₄^- + 8H⁺ + 5e=Mn²⁺ + 4H₂O

hydrogen -1; 0; + 1 manifests degrees of oxidation.

oxygen -2; -1; 0; +2 manifests degrees of oxidation.