Oxidation
MCAT glossary · Chemical & Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
Definition
The loss of electrons by a species; an increase in oxidation state.
Oxidation in plain English
Oxidation just means an atom or molecule loses electrons — those tiny negatively charged particles. Since electrons are negative, losing them makes something more positive, which is what 'increase in oxidation state' means. A classic example is iron rusting: the iron gives up electrons to oxygen, and that's oxidation in action. A handy memory trick is 'OIL RIG' — Oxidation Is Loss (of electrons).
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