oxidation

 

✅ What is Oxidation?

(Class 10 Science – Chapter: Chemical Reactions and Equations)

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📘 Definition (CBSE Standard):

Oxidation is a chemical process in which a substance:

• Gains oxygen, or

• Loses hydrogen

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🔁 Oxidation Can Be Understood As:

Oxidation Type	Description	Example
Gain of Oxygen	Substance reacts with or gains oxygen	$\text{C} + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CO}_2$
Loss of Hydrogen	Substance loses hydrogen atoms	$\text{H}_2\text{S} + \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow \text{S} + 2\text{HCl}$

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🧪 Example from NCERT (Activity 1.11):

$$2\text{Cu} + \text{O}_2 \xrightarrow{\text{Heat}} 2\text{CuO}$$

• Copper (Cu) gains oxygen and forms copper oxide (CuO)
  ✅ So, copper is oxidised.

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📌 Real-Life Examples:

• Rusting of iron:
  $\text{Fe} + \text{O}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3\cdot x\text{H}_2\text{O}$
  Iron gets oxidised to form rust.

• Burning of fuel:
  Hydrocarbons burn in oxygen to produce CO₂ and H₂O — oxidation of carbon and hydrogen.

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🧠 CBSE Exam Tip:

Q: What is oxidation? Give one example.
✅ Answer:
Oxidation is a process in which a substance gains oxygen or loses hydrogen.
Example:

$$\text{Mg} + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{MgO}$$

Magnesium is oxidised as it gains oxygen.

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Let me know if you’d like a student worksheet, summary chart, or concept map on oxidation and reduction!