Reduction is defined as which of the following?

Reduction is defined as which of the following?

• A. Loss of electrons
• B. Gain of electrons
• C. Sharing electrons
• D. No electron change

Answer: (B)

Reduction means gaining electrons, which lowers the oxidation state of the substance. In redox reactions, the species that gains electrons is reduced, while the one that loses electrons is oxidized. For example, Fe3+ gaining an electron to become Fe2+ illustrates reduction. Sharing electrons is covalent bonding and doesn’t involve a net gain in electrons for a species’ oxidation state, and no electron change means no redox event occurs.

Reduction means gaining electrons, which lowers the oxidation state of the substance. In redox reactions, the species that gains electrons is reduced, while the one that loses electrons is oxidized. For example, Fe3+ gaining an electron to become Fe2+ illustrates reduction. Sharing electrons is covalent bonding and doesn’t involve a net gain in electrons for a species’ oxidation state, and no electron change means no redox event occurs.