Metal Oxides
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 9.1.3
Oxidation and Reduction
Oxidation and reduction reactions are important types of reactions in chemistry.
Oxidation
- An oxidation reaction involves gaining oxygen.
- E.g. when metals react with oxygen, metal oxides are produced:
- Magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide
- 2Mg + O2 → 2MgO
Reduction
- A reduction reaction involves losing oxygen.
- E.g. when metal oxides lose oxygen and return to their atomic form:
- Iron oxide + carbon monoxide → iron + carbon dioxide
- Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2
Test yourself on Metal Oxides
Which of these are oxidation reactions?