oksidasjonsreaksjon

Oksidasjonsreaksjon, or oxidation reaction in English, refers to a chemical process where a substance loses electrons. This loss of electrons is accompanied by a corresponding increase in oxidation state. The term "oxidation" originally referred to reactions involving oxygen, as oxygen is a strong oxidizing agent. However, the definition has been broadened to encompass any process where electrons are transferred, regardless of the presence of oxygen.

In an oxidation reaction, the atom or molecule that undergoes oxidation is said to be oxidized. Simultaneously, another substance must gain these electrons, and this process is called reduction. Oxidation and reduction reactions always occur together; one cannot happen without the other. This combined process is known as a redox reaction. A common example is the rusting of iron, where iron atoms lose electrons to oxygen. Another example is the combustion of fuels, where hydrocarbons are oxidized by oxygen, releasing energy. Understanding oxidation reactions is fundamental in many areas of chemistry, including electrochemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry.