EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state by a molecule, atom, or ion is known as reduction and the atom which gains electrons is said to be reduced.

Detailed explanation-2: -The gain of electrons is called reduction. Because any loss of electrons by one substance must be accompanied by a gain in electrons by something else, oxidation and reduction always occur together. As such, electron-transfer reactions are also called oxidation-reduction reactions, or simply redox reactions.

Detailed explanation-3: -Atoms can be oxidized by nonmetals. Reduction is gain of electrons and thus gaining of negative charge. The atom that acquired electrons is said to be reduced.

Detailed explanation-4: -If an atom or molecule gains an electron, it becomes negatively charged (an anion), and if it loses an electron, it becomes positively charged (a cation).

Detailed explanation-5: -metals lose electrons, nonmetals gain electrons and metalloids can go either way is a loose rule.