1.Previous
3.Next

and the meaning was extended to include other reactions in which electrons are lost, regardless of whether oxygen was involved.The increase in the oxidation state of an atom, through a chemical reaction, is known as oxidation; a decrease in oxidation state is known as a reduction. Such reactions involve the formal transfer of electrons: a net gain in electrons being a reduction, and a net loss of electrons being oxidation. For pure elements, the oxidation state is zero.

1.Previous
3.Next