oxidation

Oxidation is a chemical process where a substance reacts with oxygen, often leading to a change in its properties. For example, when iron rusts, it’s reacting with oxygen in the air, forming iron oxide (rust). Oxidation can occur in many contexts, such as food spoiling when it reacts with oxygen, or batteries generating electricity through reactions involving oxygen. Essentially, oxidation involves the loss of electrons from a molecule, atom, or ion, often accompanied by a change in energy. It’s a fundamental process that influences everything from biological functions to industrial applications.