Question

what is oxidation? which one of the following pairs of species is in its oxidized state?
1)Mg/Mg²*
2)Cu/Cu²*
3)O2/O2^‐
4)Cl2/Cu^‐​

Answer 1

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

The term oxidation was originally used to describe reactions in which an element combines with oxygen.

Example: The reaction between magnesium metal and oxygen to form magnesium oxide involves the oxidation of magnesium.

The term reduction comes from the Latin stem meaning "to lead back." Anything that that leads back to magnesium metal therefore involves reduction.

The reaction between magnesium oxide and carbon at 2000C to form magnesium metal and carbon monoxide is an example of the reduction of magnesium oxide to magnesium metal.