What term describes the gain of electrons in a chemical reaction?

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Multiple Choice

What term describes the gain of electrons in a chemical reaction?

Explanation:
Gain of electrons in a chemical reaction is called reduction. In redox chemistry, reduction means a decrease in oxidation state due to the addition of electrons, so the species that gains electrons is reduced. A classic example is copper(II) ions accepting electrons to form copper metal: Cu2+ + 2 e- → Cu. On the other hand, oxidation is the loss of electrons. Hydration involves water molecules surrounding ions or molecules, not electron transfer, and polymerization is the linking of monomers into polymers, which also doesn’t involve electron gain or loss.

Gain of electrons in a chemical reaction is called reduction. In redox chemistry, reduction means a decrease in oxidation state due to the addition of electrons, so the species that gains electrons is reduced. A classic example is copper(II) ions accepting electrons to form copper metal: Cu2+ + 2 e- → Cu. On the other hand, oxidation is the loss of electrons. Hydration involves water molecules surrounding ions or molecules, not electron transfer, and polymerization is the linking of monomers into polymers, which also doesn’t involve electron gain or loss.

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