reactions of metals with oxygen

• Oxidation


  When a metal reacts with oxygen, the metal has gained oxygen
• Reduction


  When oxygen is removed from a metal compound, the metal atoms have lost oxygen
• Reaction of metals with oxygen

  1. Metal forms metal oxide

  2. Oxidation reaction occurs - metal atoms gain oxygen
• Reactions of metals with oxygen

  • Magnesium reacts rapidly with oxygen, releasing heat and light
  • Iron reacts slowly with oxygen, taking weeks or months
• Magnesium reacts with oxygen

  Forms magnesium oxide
• Iron reacts with oxygen


  Forms iron oxide
• In the reaction of calcium with copper oxide, calcium is oxidized (gains oxygen) and copper is reduced (loses oxygen)
• More questions on reactions of metals with oxygen and oxidation/reduction can be found in the revision workbook