When an atom in a reactant loses electrons, what happens to its oxidation number?

Question

A.
Its oxidation number decreases.
B.
Its oxidation number doubles.
C.
Its oxidation number increases.
D.
Its oxidation number increases by one.
E.
Its oxidation number stays the same.

Answer 1

When an atom in a reactant loses electrons, its oxidation number increases. This is because losing electrons (which are negatively charged) makes the atom more positive, resulting in a higher oxidation state. Therefore, the correct answer is:

C. Its oxidation number increases.