Question

True or false: (a) oxidation can occur without oxygen. (b) oxidation can occur without reduction.

Answer 1

The answer in the first statement is true because oxidation can occur without oxygen as it is involve with losing electron of a substance. The answer in the second statement is false because oxidation can't occur without reduction as this is involve with losing of electron of substance, in which reduction occurs.

Answer 2

Answer:

A) False

B) True

Explanation:

Chemical reactions usually involve the loss and gain of electrons by molecules, atoms. OXIDATION is the loss of one or more electrons (e-) by an atom or molecule during a reaction. During this process of losing electrons (e-), another molecule or atom involved in the reaction gains the lost electrons. This process is called REDUCTION.

The molecule that undergoes oxidation is called the REDUCING agent because it reduces (donates electrons) another molecule while the molecule that undergoes reduction is called OXIDIZING agent because it oxidizes (accepts electrons) another molecule.

Based on this, oxidation does not need oxygen to occur, although, it can be an electron acceptor (oxidizing agent). Oxidation cannot occur without the opposite reaction called reduction. Together the overall reaction is called REDUCTION-OXIDATION (REDOX).