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A reduction is when an atom gains an electron from another atom. For example when oxygen combines with hydrogen to make water, the oxygen gains an electron from the hydrogen. The oxygen is said to be reduced. (You might want to remember this by noting that it is illogical! You would expect that something gets smaller when it is reduced, but in fact atoms gain electrons when they are reduced.)
An atom which can lose electrons is called a reducing agent or electron donor. Hydrogen and lithium are reducing agents.
Remember OILRIG (Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain) |
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