Okuzeka
Chemistry vocabulary · Reactions and Equations

Oxidation

Meaning in chemistry, with examples

nounCore term

In chemistry, oxidation means: A change in which a substance loses electrons, so its oxidation number goes up. It often involves gaining oxygen or losing hydrogen.

In Turkish: yükseltgenme, oksidasyon

How it is used

Always paired with reduction in redox chemistry. Metals undergo oxidation when they corrode, and in organic chemistry an alcohol is oxidized to an aldehyde, ketone or acid. Students remember 'OIL RIG': oxidation is loss, reduction is gain of electrons.

Example sentences

  1. The oxidation of iron in moist air produces rust.

  2. In this step, oxidation of the secondary alcohol gives the ketone.

Common collocations

  • oxidation state
  • oxidation number
  • undergo oxidation
  • oxidation of
  • oxidizing agent
  • reductionA change in which a substance gains electrons, so its oxidation number goes down. It often involves losing oxygen or gaining hydrogen.
  • redox reactionA reaction in which electrons move from one substance to another, so that one substance is oxidized while another is reduced at the same time.
  • electronA tiny particle with a negative charge that moves around the nucleus of an atom. Chemical bonds and reactions are mostly about how these particles are shared or transferred.

More terms: Reactions and Equations

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: