Question

When lightning strikes, nitrogen molecules, n2, and oxygen molecules, o2, in the air react to form nitrates, no3, which come down in the rain to help fertilize the soil. is this an example of oxidation or reduction?

Answer 1

The reaction for what was describe in the problem is:

N₂ + 3 O₂ --> 2 NO₃

The reactants involved are nitrogen and oxygen gas. From the word itself, oxygen is an oxidizing agent. Therefore, this reaction is an oxidation reaction due to the presence of the oxidizing agent.