Concept:Oxidation is a chemical change that involves addition of oxygen or an electronegative element, or removal of hydrogen or an electropositive element.
Explanation:Oxidation can be defined in three classic ways.
First, addition of oxygen to a substance is oxidation.
Second, addition of an electronegative element such as fluorine, chlorine, or oxygen is also oxidation.
Third, removal of hydrogen or removal of an electropositive element is considered oxidation.
In terms of electron transfer, oxidation means loss of electrons.
Now examine each option carefully.
Option A says removal of oxygen.
Removal of oxygen is reduction, so this option is incorrect.
Option B says addition of an electronegative element.
This directly matches the definition of oxidation, so this option is correct.
Option C says addition of an electropositive element.
Addition of an electropositive element is reduction, so this option is incorrect.
Option D says gain of electron.
Gain of electron is reduction, so this option is incorrect.
Therefore, the only option that correctly represents oxidation is option B.
Answer:Option B: Addition of electronegative element