In terms of oxidation-reduction, what does it mean if an element is oxidized?

When an element is oxidized, it refers to the process in which the element loses electrons. This loss of electrons results in an increase in the oxidation state of the element. In terms of oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions, oxidation is always coupled with reduction, which is the gain of electrons by another species.

For example, when a metal reacts with a non-metal, the metal can lose electrons, becoming a positively charged ion, while the non-metal gains those electrons, becoming negatively charged. This exchange is fundamental to understanding redox processes in chemistry, as it characterizes the behavior of elements as they undergo chemical reactions.

The other options do not accurately reflect the definition of oxidation. Gaining electrons describes reduction, while the transformation to a gas or combination with a non-metal does not specifically pertain to the oxidation process itself. Thus, the correct understanding of oxidation hinges on the loss of electrons.