Oxidation is a chemical process that involves the loss of electrons, an increase in oxidation number, loss of hydrogen atoms, and gain of oxygen atoms in a substance.
Loss of Electrons
When a substance loses electrons during a chemical reaction, it is said to undergo oxidation. This occurs when the substance is oxidized, and its oxidation number increases.
Example: In the reaction , magnesium undergoes oxidation because it loses two electrons.
Equation: Mg → Mg + 2e-
Increase in Oxidation Number
Oxidation is also defined as an increase in the oxidation number of a chemical species. The oxidation number is a measure of the number of electrons that an atom has gained or lost in a compound. When an atom loses electrons, its oxidation number increases, and it undergoes oxidation.
Example: In the reaction between hydrogen and chlorine to form hydrogen chloride, hydrogen undergoes oxidation because its oxidation number increases from 0 to +1.
Equation: H + Cl → 2H Cl
Loss of Hydrogen Atom
Oxidation can also refer to the loss of hydrogen atoms in a chemical reaction. This is because hydrogen atoms carry a positive charge, and their loss leads to the oxidation of the substance.
Example: In the reaction between methane and oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water, methane undergoes oxidation because it loses four hydrogen atoms.
Equation: CH + 2O → CO + 2HO (Combustion of methane)
Gain of Oxygen Atom
Oxidation can also refer to the gain of oxygen atoms in a substance during a chemical reaction. Oxygen atoms carry a negative charge, and their addition to a substance leads to the oxidation of that substance.
Example: In the reaction between sulfur di oxide and oxygen to form sulfur trioxide, sulfur di oxide undergoes oxidation because it gains oxygen atoms.
Equation: 2SO + O → 2SO
