Oxidation – Definition, Process & Examples

Oxidation Definition

During the reaction by the oxidizing molecule, atom or ion, the electrons are damaged.

Oxidation occurs when the oxidation status of molecule, atom or ion increases. The opposite process is called deficiency, which occurs when the electrons benefit or the oxidation status of the atom, molecule or ion decreases.

If you are a fan of oxygen-based cleaners, or are grateful for the sterilization powers of hydrogen peroxide, then you have oxidation to thank you. On the other hand, if you ever have to deal with a wild car or have to toss the fruit of brown, then you have oxidizing defects. Oxidation can be a smooth process or it can be started artificially. Sometimes it is helpful, and sometimes it is very destructive.

At its most basic level, oxidation is the loss of electrons. This happens when the atom or compounds lose one or more electrons. Some elements lose electrons more easily than others. These elements are easily called oxidation. Generally, metals including sodium, magnesium and iron are easily oxidized.

Elements that are more reluctant to lose electrons are not easily oxidized; They hold tightly on their electrons. Nonmetals including nitrogen, oxygen, and chlorine are not easily oxidized.

An example of the reaction is to create hydrofluoric acid between hydrogen and fluorine gas:

H2 + F2 → 2 HF

In this reaction, hydrogen is oxidized and fluorine is being reduced. The reaction can be considered better if it is written in the context of two half reactions.

H2 → 2H + 2E-

F2 + 2E- → 2F-

Note that there is no oxygen anywhere in this reaction!

Historical Definition of Oxygen Included Oxidation

An old meaning of oxidation was when oxygen was added to a compound. This was because oxygen gas (O2) was the first known oxidizing agent. Whereas in addition to oxygen in a compound generally meets the increase in electron loss criteria and oxidation status, the definition of oxidation was extended to include other types of chemical reactions.

An excellent example of the old definition of oxidation is when iron oxides or rust combines with iron to oxygen. It is said that oxidation is done in iron war. The chemical reaction is:

2 Fe + O2 → Fe2O3

Iron metal is oxidized to make iron oxides known as rust.

Electrochemic reactions are great examples of oxidation reactions. When a copper wire is placed in silver anion solution, the electrons are transferred from copper metal to silver ions. Copper is metal oxidation. Silver metal whiskers are mounted on copper wire, while copper ions are released in the solution.

Cu(s) + 2 Ag+(aq) → Cu2+(aq) + 2 Ag(s)

Another example of oxidation where an element connects with oxygen is the reaction to the magnesium metal and oxygen to make magnesium oxide. Many metal oxidants do, so it is useful to identify the form of the equation:

2 Mg (s) + O2 (g) → 2 MgO (s)

Oxidation and Reduction Occur Together (redox reaction)

Once the electrons are discovered and chemical reactions can be explained, scientists feel oxidation and deficiency together, together with a species losing electrons (oxidation) and other obtained electrons (less). A type of chemical reaction that contains oxidation and deficiency is called radox reaction, which is used for deficiency-oxidation.

Oxygen gas can be explained by oxidation because metal atoms loses electrons to make cation (oxidizing) with the oxygen molecule achieving electrons to make the electrons an oxygen molecule. In the case of magnesium, for example, the reaction can be rewritten:

2 Mg + O2 → 2 [Mg2+][O2-]

The following half-reactions include:

Mg → Mg2+ + 2 e–

O2 + 4 e– → 2 O2-

Historical Definition of Oxidation Involving Hydrogen 

Oxidation, which contains oxygen, is still oxidized according to the modern definition of the word. However, there is another old definition associated with hydrogen that can be encountered in organic chemistry texts. This definition is contrary to the definition of oxygen, so it can cause confusion. However, it is good to be aware, it is good to be aware. According to this definition, oxidation is the disadvantage of hydrogen, whereas deficiency is the benefit of hydrogen.

For example, according to this definition, when oxidation is done in ethanol ethanol:

CH3CH2OH → CH3CHO

Ethanol is considered oxidizing because it loses hydrogen. Reversing the equation, ethanol can be reduced by adding hydrogen to make ethanol.

Using OIL RIG to Remember Oxidation and Reduction

So, remember the modern definition of oxidation and lack of electrons (not oxygen or hydrogen). One way of remembering which species are oxidized and which decreases is to use OIL Rig. OIL Rig stands for oxidation loss, decrease is profit.

Oxidation Key Takeaways

•  Oxidation occurs when an atom, molecule, or ion loses one or more electrons in the chemical reaction.
•  When oxidation occurs, the oxidation status of the chemical species increases.
•  Oxygen does not contain oxygen! Originally, the term was used when the oxygen reaction caused electron loss. Modern definition is more common.

Process of Oxidation

When the atom or compound is oxidized, its properties change. For example, when an iron object passes through oxidation, it changes because it loses electrons. Unoxidized iron is a strong, structural sound metal, while the oxidation iron is a brittle, red powder. The picture below shows what happens with the iron atom because it is oxidized:

Once iron has been oxidized, it is a charge. Because it lost three electrons, now it has a positive charge of three. It is represented by positive three charge number three and one positive sign (3+) which is written as the superscript on the right side of the Iron symbol.

Iron is easily oxidized, which is why it is important to reduce the contact of iron oxygen and moisture. Iron will continue to lose electrons for oxygen until oxygen is present.

Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Reactions

Most of the time, oxidation decreases with a process called shortness. Decrease is the process of obtaining one or more electrons. Oxidation-deficiency, or redox, in reaction, an atom or compound will steal electrons from another atom or compound.

A classic example of a radox reaction is wild. When it is wild, oxygen stole electrons with iron. Oxygen is reduced when iron is oxidized. The result is a compound called iron oxide, or rust. Unoxidized, or pure, iron is in the corrosion is different from oxidation form.

To remember the differences between oxidation and deficiency is a very easy mnemonic device – LEO the lion says GER. For the loss of electrons, the letters in the LEO and GER stand are oxidized, the lack of electrons is lacking.

7 thoughts on “Oxidation – Definition, Process & Examples”

  2. We’re a bunch of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable information to work on. You’ve performed a formidable job and our entire community will probably be grateful to you.

    Reply

  3. I do agree with all the ideas you have presented in your post. They’re really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are too short for novices. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.

    Reply

  4. Hey, how’s it going?

    I want to pass along some very important news that everyone needs to hear!

    In December of 2017, Donald Trump made history by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Why is this big news? Because by this the Jewish people of Israel are now able to press forward in bringing about the Third Temple prophesied in the Bible.

    Jewish Rabbis have publicly announced that their Messiah will be revealed in the coming years who will be a leader and spiritual guide to all nations, gathering all religions under the worship of one God.

    Biblical prophecy tells us that this Jewish Messiah who will take the stage will be the antichrist “who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). For a time he will bring about a false peace, but “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (Matthew 24:15)…then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).

    More importantly, the power that runs the world wants to put a RFID microchip in our body making us total slaves to them. This chip matches perfectly with the Mark of the Beast in the Bible, more specifically in Revelation 13:16-18:

    “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

    Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”

    Referring to the last days, this could only be speaking of a cashless society, which we have yet to see, but are heading towards. Otherwise, we could still buy or sell without the mark amongst others if physical money was still currency. This Mark couldn’t be spiritual because the word references two different physical locations. If it was spiritual it would just say in the forehead. RFID microchip implant technology will be the future of a one world cashless society containing digital currency. It will be implanted in the right-hand or the forehead, and we cannot buy or sell without it. Revelation 13:11-18 tells us that a false prophet will arise on the world scene doing miracles before men, deceiving them to receive this Mark. Do not be deceived! We must grow strong in Jesus. AT ALL COSTS, DO NOT TAKE IT!

    “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:9-11).

    People have been saying the end is coming for many years, but we needed two key things. One, the Third Temple, and two, the technology for a cashless society to fulfill the prophecy of the Mark of the Beast.

    Visit http://WWW.BIBLEFREEDOM.COM to see proof for these things and why the Bible truly is the word of God!

    If you haven’t already, it is time to seek God with all your heart. Jesus loves you more than you could imagine. He wants to have a relationship with you and redeem you from your sins. Turn to Him and repent while there is still hope! This is forever…God bless!

    “EITHER HUMAN INTELLIGENCE ULTIMATELY OWES ITS ORIGIN TO MINDLESS MATTER OR THERE IS A CREATOR…” – JOHN LENNOX

    We all know God exists. Why? Because without Him, we couldn’t prove anything at all. Do we live our lives as if we cannot know anything? No. So why is God necessary? In order to know anything for certain, you would have to know everything, or have revelation from somebody who does. Who is capable of knowing everything? God. So to know anything, you would have to be God, or know God.

    A worldview without God cannot account for the uniformity and intelligibility of nature. And why is it that we can even reason that God is the best explanation for this if there is no God? We are given reason to know or reject God, but never to know that He does not exist.

    It has been calculated by Roger Penrose that the odds of the initial conditions for the big bang to produce the universe that we see to be a number so big, that we could put a zero on every particle in the universe, and even that would not be enough to use every zero. What are the odds that God created the universe? Odds are no such thing. Who of you would gamble your life on one coin flip?

    Is there evidence that the Bible is the truth? Yes. Did you know that the creation accounts listed in the book of Genesis are not only all correct, but are also in the correct chronological order? That the Bible doesn’t say the Earth was formed in six 24-hour days but rather six long but finite periods of time? That the Bible makes 10 times more creation claims than all major “holy” books combined with no contradictions, while these other books have errors in them? The Bible stood alone by concurring with the big bang saying, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1); and says our universe is expanding, thousands of years before scientists discovered these things. Watch a potential life-changing video on the front page of http://WWW.BIBLEFREEDOM.COM with Astronomer(PhD) Hugh Ross explaining all these facts based on published scientific data. He has authored many books, backed even by atheist scientists.

    Jesus fulfilled more than 300 Messianic prophecies concerning His birth place, details of His life, His mission, His nature, His death, and His resurrection. He came to pay a debt that we could not, to be our legal justifier to reconcile us back to a Holy God; only if we are willing to receive Him: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

    God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten son, so that whoever believes in Him, through faith, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus says if we wish to enter into life to keep the commands! The two greatest commands are to love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind; and your neighbor as yourself. All the law hang on these commands. We must be born of and lead by the Holy Spirit, to be called children of God, to inherit the kingdom. If we are willing to humble ourselves in prayer to Jesus, to confess and forsake our sins, He is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who keep asking of Him; giving us a new heart, leading us into all truth!

    Jesus came to free us from the bondage of sin. The everlasting fire was prepared for the devil and his angels due to disobedience to God’s law. If we do the same, what makes us any different than the devil? Jesus says unless we repent, we shall perish. We must walk in the Spirit, producing fruits of love and forgiveness, so we may not fulfill the lusts of the flesh being hatred, fornication, drunkenness and the like. Whoever practices such things will not inherit the kingdom (Galatians 5:16-26). If we sin, we may come before Jesus to ask for forgiveness (1 John 2:1-2). Evil thoughts are not sins, but rather temptations. It is not until these thoughts conceive and give birth by our hearts desire that they become sin (James 1:12-15). When we sin, we become in the likeness of the devil’s image, for he who sins is of the devil (1 John 3:8); but if we obey Jesus, in the image of God. For without holiness, we shall not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).

    The oldest religion in the world is holiness (James 1:27). What religion did Adam and Eve follow before the fall? Jesus, Who became the last Adam, what religion does He follow? Is He not holy? He never told us to follow any religion or denomination but to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23). There are many false doctrines being taught leading people astray. This is why we need the Holy Spirit for discernment. Unlike religion, holiness cannot be created. It is given to us from above by the baptism of the Spirit. Jesus is more than a religion; He is about having a personal relationship with the Father. Start by reading the Gospel of Matthew, to hear the words of God, to know His character and commandments. Follow and obey Jesus, for He is the way, the truth, and the life!

    Reply

  6. Somebody essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular publish extraordinary. Great job!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *