Question

Can oxidation occur without accompanying reduction? Explain.

Short answer

In short, oxidation cannot occur without an accompanying reduction. This is because oxidation and reduction reactions are intrinsically linked through the conservation of charge and the transfer of electrons in a redox process. In a redox reaction, the electrons lost by one species during oxidation must be gained by another species during reduction to maintain the conservation of charge.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Oxidation and Reduction

Oxidation and reduction are chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons between atoms or molecules. In an oxidation reaction, an atom or molecule loses one or more electrons, whereas in a reduction reaction, an atom or molecule gains one or more electrons.

Redox Reactions

Oxidation and reduction reactions often occur together, forming a "couple," with the oxidized molecule providing the electrons needed for the reduced molecule to gain its electrons. These paired reactions are known as redox reactions (short for reduction-oxidation reactions).

Why Oxidation and Reduction are Coupled

In a redox reaction, the substance undergoing oxidation loses electrons to the substance undergoing reduction. For every electron that is lost by one species, there must be another species that gains that electron. Therefore, an oxidation reaction and a reduction reaction must always be paired in any redox process.

Example of a Redox Reaction

Let's consider the following example: 2H₂(g) + O₂(g) → 2H₂O(l) In this reaction, hydrogen gas (H₂) and oxygen gas (O₂) combine to form water (H₂O). Hydrogen undergoes oxidation, losing electrons to form H⁺ ions, while oxygen undergoes reduction, gaining electrons to form O²⁻ ions: Oxidation: H₂ → 2H⁺ + 2e⁻ Reduction: O₂ + 4e⁻ → 2O²⁻ The electrons released by the oxidation of hydrogen are the same electrons gained by the reduction of oxygen. This is an example of a redox reaction, where the oxidation of one species is accompanied by the reduction of another species.

Can Oxidation Occur Without Reduction?

As we've seen, the principles of oxidation and reduction are founded on the transfer of electrons between species. Oxidation requires a species to lose electrons, which must be subsequently gained by another species for the reaction to be balanced. Therefore, oxidation cannot occur without an accompanying reduction, as the electrons that are lost during the oxidation process need to be gained by another species to maintain the conservation of charge. In conclusion, oxidation reactions cannot occur without accompanying reduction reactions, as they are intrinsically linked through the conservation of charge and the transfer of electrons in a redox process.