Which statement best describes the difference between oxidation and reduction in a redox reaction?

• A. Oxidation and reduction both involve the gain of electrons.
• B. Oxidation and reduction both involve the loss of electrons.
• C. Oxidation is the gain of electrons, while reduction is the loss of electrons.
• D. Oxidation is the loss of electrons, while reduction is the gain of electrons.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons between species.
2. Recall the definitions: Oxidation is the process where a species loses electrons, and reduction is the process where a species gains electrons.
3. Recognize that these two processes always occur together in a redox reaction—when one species loses electrons (oxidized), another gains those electrons (reduced).
4. Evaluate the given statements by comparing them to the correct definitions of oxidation and reduction.
5. Conclude that the statement 'Oxidation is the loss of electrons, while reduction is the gain of electrons' correctly describes the difference between oxidation and reduction.