Metals + 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 takes place
• Reactions of metals with oxygen

  • Magnesium reacting with oxygen
  • Iron reacting with oxygen
• Magnesium reacting with oxygen


  Magnesium is oxidized, it gains oxygen
• Iron reacting with oxygen


  Iron is oxidized, it gains oxygen
• Magnesium oxide being split into magnesium and oxygen

  Magnesium is reduced, it loses oxygen
• Calcium reacting with copper oxide

  • Calcium is oxidized, it gains oxygen
  • Copper is reduced, it loses oxygen
• Reactions of metals with oxygen and oxidation/reduction will be explored in more videos