Colorado Esthetician Written Practice Exam

What does oxidation involve in a chemical reaction?

1. Gain of hydrogen

2. Loss of oxygen

3. Addition of oxygen or loss of hydrogen

4. Loss of electrons

The correct answer is: Addition of oxygen or loss of hydrogen

In a chemical reaction, oxidation involves the addition of oxygen or the loss of hydrogen. This process can be explained using the concept of the transfer of electrons. When a substance undergoes oxidation, it loses electrons, which are then gained by another substance undergoing reduction. This transfer of electrons is crucial in understanding redox reactions, where oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously. Therefore, in the context of oxidation, the correct answer is the addition of oxygen or the loss of hydrogen, as it reflects the fundamental principles of electron transfer in chemical reactions.