Definition of Oxidation in Chemistry

Definition of Oxidation in ChemistryOxidation in chemistry is the process that breaks down a chemical compound. The chemical is converted into the opposite compound. Many people mistakenly think that this process breaks down the molecules, which they believe give it its oxidation. However, oxidation is a word that we should probably avoid since we are all aware of the wonderful chemical elements that react with oxygen in the atmosphere to produce various forms of highly toxic gas.The term oxidation in chemistry, a combination of oxidation and reduction, is a word used to describe the reaction of a chemical element with oxygen. In order for this reaction to occur, the reaction must begin with a loss of electrons (electron - electron). Oxygen has an electrical charge, which gives it an oxidation potential, which is expressed as the is in units called molecular weight.Oxygen has a molecular structure which is mostly water, but some oxygen atoms have negative charges that will attach the mselves to the positively charged atoms in the molecular structure of the other element. This then creates bonds between the two elements, with the result that the oxygen atom is reduced to the negatively charged oxygen atom of the opposite element. Sometimes the oxygen atom has already been reduced to the opposite element, which is what occurs when the element and the oxidizing agent bond together.Thus an electron is freed from the oxygen atom by a chemical reaction in which the reduction of oxygen to hydrogen and back again releases a radical oxygen. This radical has the potential to be released by the catalyst, which is essentially an element that helps to neutralize the radicals produced by the oxidation process. Thus, the reaction takes place, the hydrogen is used to form water and the water is recycled to the initial chemical form of the product.Oxidation in chemistry is not limited to carbon-based chemicals, although it may occur with carbon-based compounds when there is a ch emical reaction involving one of these molecules. Oxidation is also a property of water, which is something we really should get used to since the environment could use the hydrogen that comes from water to power more efficient cars and other forms of energy production.While hydrogen does have some of the characteristics of oxygen, it cannot be oxidized by oxygen. This means that if there is some kind of reaction that involves hydrogen, then there will be a reduction reaction that produces more hydrogen than oxygen.Oxidation in chemistry is a chemical reaction that can occur even at room temperature. It is the main element in organic chemistry and most commonly occurs when the reaction of a chemical element takes place, which is typically the release of oxygen from one element to another.