In redox chemistry, the process of losing electrons from an atom, ion or molecule is known as which of the following?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of basic redox terminology. In oxidation reduction reactions, electrons are transferred between species. Correctly identifying oxidation as loss of electrons and reduction as gain of electrons is a fundamental concept in chemistry that appears in many topics including corrosion, electrochemistry and metabolism.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks for the name of the process in which electrons are lost.
• Options include oxidation, reduction, radiation, both oxidation and reduction, and neutralisation.
• We assume standard modern definitions of oxidation and reduction based on electron transfer.

Concept / Approach:
The modern view of redox reactions defines oxidation as the loss of electrons by a species and reduction as the gain of electrons by a species. This can be remembered by the common mnemonic OIL RIG, where OIL stands for Oxidation Is Loss and RIG stands for Reduction Is Gain, referring to electrons. Other processes such as radiation and neutralisation involve different phenomena and are not directly about electron loss in this simple sense.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
You can check this understanding with simple half reactions. For example, when a sodium atom loses one electron to form Na plus, the half reaction is Na gives Na plus plus e minus. This is described as oxidation of sodium because sodium has lost an electron. Conversely, when chlorine gains an electron to form Cl minus, the half reaction is Cl plus e minus gives Cl minus, which is reduction of chlorine. These textbook examples consistently reinforce that losing electrons is oxidation and gaining electrons is reduction.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Reduction: Defined as the gain of electrons, not their loss.
• Radiation: Refers to the emission of energy in the form of waves or particles, not specifically the loss of electrons in a redox sense.
• Both oxidation and reduction: Oxidation and reduction are opposite processes; a given species cannot both gain and lose electrons in the same event.
• Neutralisation: Describes an acid base reaction that produces salt and water, not an electron transfer process by definition.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners confuse the older definition of oxidation as reaction with oxygen with the modern definition based on electron transfer. While they often coincide, electron based definitions are more general and apply to reactions without oxygen. Another mistake is to mix up which process is gain and which is loss of electrons. Using simple mnemonics like OIL RIG or remembering that reduction leads to a reduction of positive charge (more electrons) helps keep the definitions straight.

Final Answer:
The process of losing electrons is called Oxidation.