Question

Is it possible for oxidation to occur without reduction? Justify your answer.

Answer 1

No, oxydation and reduction go hand in hand. If one happens, the other must happen.

Explanation:

A substance X that is oxidized has LOST electrons. These lost electrons must go somewhere, and it always goes to the substance Y that has caused that oxydation. Hence, this substance Y is reduced because it has GAINED electrons. A substance would never take away an electron from another substance if gets nothing in return.

Remember this:

Substance X that loses electrons is being OXIDIZED
Substance Y that gains those electrons is being REDUCED

Substance Y that causes the substance X to be oxidized is called an OXIDIZING AGENT
Substance Y that makes the substance Y to be reduced is called a REDUCING AGENT.

In sum,
Substance X is both OXIDIZED and a REDUCING AGENT
Substance Y is both REDUCED and a OXIDIZING AGENT.

Good luck!