| Q: | Reduction potential most closely resembles the concept of: |
| A |
| ionization energy. |
| B |
| oxidation state. |
| C |
| electron affinity. |
| D |
| polarization. |
OILRIG! The correct answer is C. Oxidation is loss, reduction is gain (of electrons). So the reduction potential can be thought of as the ability for an atom to acquire electrons. Electron affinity is the change in energy when an atom gains an electron, making it the closest. Ionization energy is somewhat opposite, the amount of energy needed to ionize an atom – the removal of the most loosely bound electron. Oxidation state can be a tempting answer, because it also deals with electrons, but it merely refers to the degree of oxidation on an atom and may be positive, negative, or zero. Polarization refers to the charge distribution under binding conditions.