Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Integrated Science (024) Practice Exam

What process involves the donation of electrons and results in oxidation?

1. Reduction

2. Oxidation

3. Ionic bonding

4. Electron affinity

The correct answer is: Oxidation

The correct answer is oxidation, which is a chemical process involving the loss of electrons from an atom or molecule. During oxidation, when an electron is donated, it increases the oxidation state of the substance undergoing the reaction. This process is essential in various chemical reactions, including combustion and respiration, where substances react by losing electrons. Oxidation is commonly paired with reduction, where another substance accepts the electrons that have been lost; this complementary relationship is crucial in redox reactions. Understanding oxidation is vital in fields such as chemistry and biology, as it is foundational to many metabolic processes and energy transfer systems. In contrast, reduction involves the gain of electrons, which directly opposes the process of oxidation. Ionic bonding pertains to the electrostatic forces between oppositely charged ions formed due to electron transfer, but it does not specifically relate to the process of electron loss or oxidation. Electron affinity refers to the energy change when an atom in the gas phase gains an electron, which is more aligned with reduction rather than the loss involved in oxidation.