VIDEO: Chemical reaction with oxygen

Understanding Oxidation

• In simple terms, oxidation is a chemical reaction that uses up oxygen. But because in the chemistry nothing is ever lost, but is maximally converted, this statement only serves as a memory aid.
• One could also say that a substance forms a bond with oxygen during oxidation. The reaction to this is a burn.
• The example of the combustion of iron wool makes this clear: iron (Fe) is associated with it Oxygen (O) and iron oxide (FeO) is formed, which weighs even more after the reaction than before.
• This reaction is called oxidation and it is also possible with numerous other metals.
• Rust is also an oxidation. A metal combines with oxygen and is transformed. Because this combustion happens so slowly, you don't notice anything of the actual reaction process, you only see the product at the end: rust.


Slow oxidation - examples simply explained

You have probably seen thousands of slow oxidations before, and also in ...

The oxidation explained in detail

But because there are also oxidations in which no oxygen is represented in the product, there must be another, more precise explanation for the chemical reaction.

• In general, it can be said that electrons are given off during oxidation.
• Because these are not simply lost, they have to be taken up again. Then one speaks of the reduction. Oxidation and reduction are always linked. In short, one can also speak of a redox reaction.
• The direction of the transfer of electrons (whether taken in or released) depends on the electronegativity of the elements. The lower the value, the easier it is to donate electrons.
• In the case of ions, this is very easy to find out. The charge indicates whether an electron has been taken in or given up.
• In the case of polar or non-polar compounds, however, this is not so easy. That is why the oxidation number was introduced.
• The oxygen only serves as an aid. It is therefore no longer represented in the final reaction.
• For example in the reaction of sodium with chloride: 2Na + Cl₂ → 2 NaCl
• Oxidations are also always exothermic, that is, it will energy released.

What the chemical reaction with oxygen is used for

Now you are probably wondering what oxidation can be used for. There are several examples:

• The propulsion of rockets or space shuttles is based on the reaction with oxygen.
• The tanks contain liquid oxygen and hydrogen.
• If both substances come together, water is created with the loss of energy.
• This energy is converted into thrust energy and thus provides the drive.
• But not only in technology, but also in our body there is oxidation.
• When we have ingested carbohydrates, these are converted into water-soluble glucose in the body.
• This is then burned in the muscles or in the brain (depending on what activity we are doing). This creates water, CO₂ and energy.