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In the older, classical view of redox reactions (before electron-transfer was understood), OXIDATION was defined as which of the following?
AAddition of hydrogen (or any electropositive element) to a substance
BAddition of oxygen (or any electronegative element) to a substance
CRemoval of oxygen from a substance
DIncrease in the proton count of a nucleus
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Addition of oxygen (or any electronegative element) to a substance
1. NCERT §7.1 traces the historical development of the term "oxidation".
2. The original meaning was literal: oxidation = adding oxygen (e.g. iron rusting to iron oxide). Later it was broadened to ANY more electronegative element (chlorine, sulfur, etc.).
3. So the classical view: oxidation = ADDITION of an electronegative element (oxygen being the prototype).
4. Option A is the classical view of REDUCTION (adding hydrogen). Option C is also the classical view of reduction (removing oxygen). Option D refers to a nuclear process, not a chemical redox.
_Source: NCERT Class 11 Chemistry Part 2, Ch 7 "Redox Reactions", §7.1, p. 1 ¶1-2._
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