Oxidation and Reduction

Oxidation is when a substance gains oxygen e.g. when magnesium burns it reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide.

Combustion (posh science word for burning)

Rusting - Iron reacts with oxygen in the air

Respiration - glucose reacts with oxygen that we breathe in

Chemists also use oxidation to describe a reaction in which a substance loses electrons

If a substance has oxygen removed from it then we say that substance has been reduced. We tend to use this word when describing how metals are extracted from metal compounds.

Iron oxide reacts with carbon . Carbon is more reactive than iron so DISPLACES iron. This has the effect of removing oxygen from iron oxide.

Oxidation occurs when a substance gains oxygen.

Oxidation can also be used to describe a reaction in which an atom loses electrons.

Reduction occurs when oxygen is removed from a substance.

Reduction can also be used to describe a reaction in which an atom gains electrons.