Distinguish between the terms oxidation and reduction in terms of oxidation numbers

Oxidation and reduction in terms of oxidation numbers can be distinguished as follows:

1. Oxidation: Oxidation is a process that involves an increase in oxidation number of an atom in a chemical reaction. This means that the atom loses electrons during the reaction. For example, when Sodium (Na) reacts with Chlorine (Cl) to form Sodium Chloride (NaCl), Sodium is oxidized because its oxidation number increases from 0 in Na to +1 in NaCl.

2. Reduction: Reduction is a process that involves a decrease in oxidation number of an atom in a chemical reaction. This means that the atom gains electrons during the reaction. In the above example, Chlorine is reduced because its oxidation number decreases from 0 in Cl to -1 in NaCl.

In summary, oxidation involves loss of electrons (increase in oxidation number) and reduction involves gain of electrons (decrease in oxidation number).