Oxidation and Reduction When a substance gains oxygen Magnesium + oxygen Magnesium oxide It said to have been OXIDISED When a substance loses oxygen Magnesium oxide Magnesium + oxygen It said to have been REDUCED
The process of gaining oxygen is said to be OXIDATION The process of losing oxygen is said to be REDUCTION
LEAD OXIDE + CARBON LEAD + CARBON DIOXIDE Is reduced Is oxidised HYDROGEN + COPPER OXIDE COPPER + WATER Is oxidised Is reduced METHANE + SILVER OXIDE SILVER + WATER + CARBON DIOXIDE Is oxidised Is reduced
The oxidising agent gives oxygen to another substance. E.g. magnesium + oxygen magnesium oxide The oxidising agent is oxygen.
The reducing agent takes oxygen away from another substance. E.g. Hydrogen is the reducing agent HYDROGEN + COPPER OXIDE COPPER + WATER