7 OXIDATION REACTION EXAMPLE: DETAILED EXPLANATION

The body of this research would be represented with the broadened examples of Oxidation reaction that are happened naturally as well as chemically.

Oxidation Reaction example holds different types of reactions those are listed below:

OXIDATION REACTION

During chemical reaction if the reactant or the reactants loses on or more than one electron from the atoms then that chemical reaction is called Oxidation reaction. This is the fundamental concept of oxidation.

A historical overview of the oxidation reaction can be presented here also that is the addition of oxygen molecule with the reactants and formation of new type of compounds. Those compounds can be called as oxides.

Basically, this type of reaction happens with the metals when they form oxides in their oxidation states by gaining oxygen molecule.  Now, oxidation state refers to the states where the metals require electrons for being more stable and achieve octets.

These kinds of oxide formation could be taken as an example of oxidation reaction. There are more examples can e referred in this research broadly to make deep understanding about the process and concept of oxidation reaction.

Rust

Rusting is referred as the best oxidation reaction example. In this reaction, the Iron metals (Fe) are noticed to be oxidised by the touch of moist air if the materials made of iron are kept openly in the nature. This happens due to the chemical reaction between Fe, oxygen and water present in the air.

rust pic
Chemistry of Rust from Wikimedia

Oxygen molecule gets added with the openly kept Fe metals and oxidise it into Ferric oxide (hydrated) that is the hydrated iron. However, this process has been identified to be happened very naturally without any external addition of elements. This is why it is considered to the most natural oxidation reaction in the nature.

The fundamental and historical concept of oxidation reaction which has been shortly described above creates high support for explanation of rusting as an oxidation reaction.

Chemical equation of this reaction is given below:

4Fe + 3O2 + 6H2O = 4Fe(OH)3

This reaction can accompanied as an example of a rusting with the presentation of certain amount of molecules but most of the time this reaction is noticed to be happened in general way. In that case the number of water molecule in the ferric oxide cannot be defined with exact proportion. Then the rust or the product is expressed as Fe2O3. n(H2O).

Read more about oxidation reaction example

Respiration

In a very natural context oxidation happens regularly at each and every moment in animal world by the process of respiration. Breathing is considered to the most important factor for animal and for them as they are completely dependent on Oxygen. Therefore, oxygen consumption is the foremost part of breathing or respiration.

Basically, respiration is the combination of reduction and oxidation both the processes which is called redox reaction (reduction reaction is absolutely opposite reaction of oxidation reaction). The oxidation part is quite dominating in this process.

Oxidation happens in respiration when the oxygen molecule from air is inhaled by the animals and the absorbed oxygen molecule oxidises the food particles to extract energy from them.

Several metabolic processes happen in the body while proceeding through respiration. And those happen by following the principles of oxidation reactions. The products come from those reactions are quite effective in animal body to keep the internal processes very active and healthy.

However, based on the electronic concept it can be said that both the loss and gain of electron happen in the respiration process. Therefore, oxidation plays a huge role to conduct this natural process.

Example of chemical equation of respiration is given below:

C6H12O6 (Glucose) +6O2 (Oxygen) = 6CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) + 6H2O (Water)

In the above equation it is clear that Glucose is losing electron and producing carbon Dioxide. This is considered as a specific proof of oxidation reaction. 

Electrochemical reactions

Electrochemical reactions are best to be mentioned as the effective examples of oxidation reactions. These reactions are considered to be perfect as these maintain the electronic principles of oxidation reaction. It can be represented with the description of a reaction between copper and silver ion

When a copper wire dipped into a solution that contains silver ions, copper leaves elections and silver ions adopt those electron. Leaving the electron is the main principle of following oxidation reaction.

Equation of the above reaction:

Cu(s) + 2 Ag+(aq) → Cu2+(aq) + 2 Ag(s)

The above example is taken as the most effective example of oxidation reaction as it is responsible for clarifying the core concept of oxidation reaction in an easy way. The understandings are very reliable to support the idea oxidation reaction.

Combustion

In a very language it can be said that combustion is the chemical term of burning process. In presence of oxygen gas when organic compounds burn and produce carbon Dioxide and water then that process is called combustion.

Any kind of organic compound can burn in presence of oxygen. Rather it can be accompanied that oxygen is the main substance which influence the process of combustion or burning. Therefore, it is quite justified that combustion is one of the perfect example of oxidation reaction.

Combustion Reaction
Combustion as an oxidation reaction example from Wikimedia

A simplest example of combustion reaction can be taken under consideration that is, the reaction between gaseous methane and oxygen gas gives out water and Carbon Dioxide molecule.

Chemical equation of the reaction:

CH4(g) + 2 O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2 H2O(g)

One matter should be understood in this case that is all combustion reactions are complete example of oxidation reaction but all oxidation reaction do not stand for combustion reaction.

Oxide formation

Generally the metals lose election and combine with oxygen and form metal oxides (MO). This is the fundamental concept of oxide formation. Here the example of formation of magnesium oxide (MgO) can be referred as the basic and simplest example of oxidation.

Mg loses 2 election and use to be oxidised and oxygen gas takes those two free electrons and get reduced. The reduction of oxygen gas completely depends on the ability of Mg in losing the electrons. Therefore, oxidation gets more priority in this reaction and makes an effective example of the core principle of the reaction.

Chemical equation of the above exaction:

2 Mg + O2 → 2 [Mg2+][O2-]

Or

2 Mg (s) + O2 (g) → 2 MgO (s)

Loss of hydrogen

This concept holds exactly the opposite definition of the oxidation reaction which is defined in terms of oxygen. The hydrogen related definition of the oxidation reaction is also one kind of historic definition which supports the concept of losing hydrogen from a compound. This loss of hydrogen is also an oxidation reaction example.

One specific example of the above mentioned oxidation definition is the oxidation of the ethanol.

Chemical equation of the reaction:

CH3CH2OH (Ethanol) → CH3CHO (ethanal)

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is also a combination of oxidation and reduction reaction. As this is a lengthy process it holds both type of reaction. Therefore, it cannot be considers as the completely oxidation process.

In photosynthesis a vital part of reaction poses the principle of oxidation when the water molecules get oxidised and produce molecular oxygen. This part cannot be ignored because that produced oxygen a huge biological impact in the nature.

photo synthesis
Oxidation reaction in photosynthesis from Wikimedia

This oxidation process is considered to the part of biochemical world which holds great significance in living world.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question 1: Are oxidation and reduction reactions dependent on each other?

Answer: In the combination of Redox reaction Reduction definitely depends on oxidation reaction simultaneously oxidation also depends on reduction as when reduction (gaining the free electrons) happens, oxidation (generating free electrons) must take place to support to the reduction reaction.

Question 2: How do oxides occur from metal molecules?

Answer: Oxide formation takes place in the metals by losing electron, metals actually loses electron for filling octet state and get stabilised. When oxygen gas receives the free electrons and combines with the metals and forms metal oxides.

Question 3: What is the best example of oxidation reaction and why?

Answer: Electrochemical reactions are the best example of oxidation reaction. These reactions describe the methods of oxidation reaction that the loss of electron from atoms very precisely by following all the core principles of the reaction.

Question 4: How does rusting support the concept of oxidation reaction?

Answer: Rusting shows huge support to the concept of oxidation reaction. It is completely happens through the presence of oxygen gas. Without reacting with oxygen, iron metal would not achieve its oxide form. It is also an example of oxide formation.

Question 5: Can we consider all oxidation reaction as combustion reaction?

Answers: All oxidation reaction cannot be conspired as combustion. Combustion is the concept of burning process of organic compound sin presence of oxygen gas but oxidation dies not takes place to influence burning always. Oxidation can happen in low or moderate temperature as well.  Therefore, all oxidation reaction does not stand for combustion reaction.

Also Read: