What is oxidation in Class 10 Science?

Oxidation is a chemical reaction in which a substance gains oxygen or loses hydrogen. Example: 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO — magnesium gains oxygen, so it is oxidised. Oxidation always occurs along with reduction in a redox reaction.

What is the difference between oxidation and reduction?

Oxidation is gain of oxygen or loss of hydrogen/electrons. Reduction is loss of oxygen or gain of hydrogen/electrons. They always occur together in a redox reaction. Remember OIL RIG: Oxidation Is Loss; Reduction Is Gain (of electrons).

What is a reducing agent? Give one example.

A reducing agent is a substance that causes reduction in another substance and is itself oxidised in the process. Example: In CuO + H₂ → Cu + H₂O, hydrogen (H₂) is the reducing agent — it reduces CuO and is itself oxidised.

What is Oxidation?

Chemical Reactions and Equations • Class 10 Science • NCERT • CBSE

Oxidation is a chemical reaction in which a substance gains oxygen or loses hydrogen. In the reaction 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO, magnesium is oxidised because it gains oxygen. Oxidation always occurs alongside reduction — together they are called redox reactions.

Key Formulas

2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO (Magnesium oxidation)
CuO + H₂ → Cu + H₂O (Redox — CuO reduced, H₂ oxidised)
C + O₂ → CO₂ (Carbon oxidation)
OIL RIG: Oxidation Is Loss; Reduction Is Gain (of electrons)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is oxidation in Class 10 Science?: Oxidation is a chemical reaction in which a substance gains oxygen or loses hydrogen. Example: 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO — magnesium gains oxygen, so it is oxidised. Oxidation always occurs along with reduction in a redox reaction.
What is the difference between oxidation and reduction?: Oxidation is gain of oxygen or loss of hydrogen/electrons. Reduction is loss of oxygen or gain of hydrogen/electrons. They always occur together in a redox reaction. Remember OIL RIG: Oxidation Is Loss; Reduction Is Gain (of electrons).
What is a reducing agent? Give one example.: A reducing agent is a substance that causes reduction in another substance and is itself oxidised in the process. Example: In CuO + H₂ → Cu + H₂O, hydrogen (H₂) is the reducing agent — it reduces CuO and is itself oxidised.

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