Oxidation

Oxidation or reduction-oxidation is a chemical reaction in which the states of oxidation of atoms get changed. These reactions are characterised by the formal or actual transfer of electrons between chemical species. 

The oxidation term was first used to define where the element merges with oxygen. It involves the loss of electrons, and reduction, on the other hand, consists of the gain of electrons. The reaction with magnesium and oxygen is an excellent example of how magnesium oxide is formed.

Though oxidation reactions are associated with the formation of oxides from the oxygen molecules, oxygen is not necessarily included in these reactions(other chemicals can serve the same purpose). This article will help you delve deeper into the concept of oxidation and oxidation causes and oxidation examples.

The oxidation process that involves oxygen

Most oxidation-reduction processes demand the transaction of oxygen atoms, hydrogen atoms, or electrons. The prior meaning of oxidation was oxygen getting added to a compound. It happened because oxygen gas was the first oxidising agent ever known. Though adding oxygen to a combination meant that the criteria of the electron loss and increase in oxidation state were met, the definition enlarged to include other chemical reactions.

There are well-known oxidation examples, and the one is when iron combines with oxygen and forms an iron oxide called rust. The iron has undergone a chemical reaction and gets oxidised into rust in this process.

The chemical reaction of the above oxidation examples is,

2 Fe + O2 → Fe2O3

The oxidation process that involves hydrogen

This reaction involving hydrogen is carried out by enzymes known as hydrogenases, which own catalytic sites on iron or nickel and iron. Oxidation that involves oxygen is the modern meaning of oxidation. There’s another explanation of hydrogen that can be used in chemistry. This is the opposite of the concept of oxygen. Oxidation means the loss of hydrogen following the definition, but the reduction is again in hydrogen.

CH3CH2OH → CH3CHO

In the above oxidation examples, ethanol is formed by the oxidisation of ethanol.

The loss of hydrogen oxidises ethanol. If hydrogen is added, the equation gets reversed, ethanol can be reduced.

Oxidising process

Oxidation is when an electron is removed from a molecule’s chemical reaction. In simple terms, oxidation is defined as removing an electron from a molecule during a chemical reaction. It takes place as an atom, molecule, or ion raises its oxidation state. During the process of oxidation, there is a transfer of electrons. In simple terms, there is a loss of electrons. There is also an opposite process of oxidation that is known as reduction, which results in a gain of electrons.

Example of oxidation Process in different subjects

CuO   +   Mg   →     MgO    +    Cu

In these oxidation examples, mg ions lose electrons, thus forming magnesium oxide. In the same manner, CuO gains an electron to become Cu.

The oxidation process occurs as a molecule, ion or atom raises its oxidation state. The opposite process happens as the electron gain, which is called reduction. 

Another example is the reaction between hydrogen and fluorine gas to form hydrofluoric acid.

H2  +   F2     →  2HF

In these oxidation examples, hydrogen gets oxidised and fluorine reduced.

One of the most common oxidation examples is when the iron gets converted to rust or iron oxide when combined with oxygen. In this process, iron has undergone oxidising to get converted to rust.

2Fe  +  O2   Fe2 O3

If a copper wire is placed into a solution that contains ions of silver, the electrons get transferred from copper to ions of silver; copper gets oxidised. Silver whisker enlarges onto the wire made of copper, whereas ions of copper are released into the solution.

When kept exposed to air containing oxygen, Apple undergoes the reaction and turns brown. When the insides of fruit come in contact with the air containing oxygen, they become oxidised.

Conclusion 

In simple terms, oxidation and reduction mean adding and removing oxygen to a compound. An oxidising agent is the one that oxidises something, and reducing agents reduce something. Oxidising agents are the ones that give oxygen to any other substance, whereas a reducing agent removes oxygen. 

Oxidation takes place when a molecule, an atom, or an ion loses one or more than one electron in a chemical reaction. The oxidation state of the chemical substance increases when oxidation occurs. There doesn’t need to be an involvement of oxygen during oxidation. 

The term was used when there was an electron loss in the reaction caused by oxygen. This article gave you a deeper meaning of oxidation, oxidation examples, and oxidation causes which will help you understand the concept better.