In a redox reaction, the atom that loses electrons is said to be:

In a redox reaction, the atom that loses electrons is said to be:

• A. Reduced
• B. Oxidized
• C. Ionized
• D. Neutralized

Answer: (B)

In a redox reaction, the atom that loses electrons undergoes oxidation. The process of losing electrons is specifically referred to as oxidation, leading to an increase in the oxidation state of that atom or species. When an atom loses electrons, it becomes more positively charged or less negatively charged, clearly indicating that it has been oxidized. In contrast, the process of gaining electrons is known as reduction, which is why the term "reduced" would refer to the atom that is gaining electrons rather than losing them. The terms ionized and neutralized are associated with changes in charge states and do not specifically address the electron transfer processes that define redox reactions. Therefore, in the context of redox reactions, identifying the atom that loses electrons as being oxidized is crucial for understanding the overall changes in chemical species involved in the reaction.

In a redox reaction, the atom that loses electrons undergoes oxidation. The process of losing electrons is specifically referred to as oxidation, leading to an increase in the oxidation state of that atom or species. When an atom loses electrons, it becomes more positively charged or less negatively charged, clearly indicating that it has been oxidized.

In contrast, the process of gaining electrons is known as reduction, which is why the term "reduced" would refer to the atom that is gaining electrons rather than losing them. The terms ionized and neutralized are associated with changes in charge states and do not specifically address the electron transfer processes that define redox reactions. Therefore, in the context of redox reactions, identifying the atom that loses electrons as being oxidized is crucial for understanding the overall changes in chemical species involved in the reaction.