Science Common Sense

1318 - What is the definition of oxidation and reduction?

Oxidation and reduction are two important chemistry terms.

• Oxidation: When something loses oxygen or gains oxygen, it's like when metal gets rusty. It also means to lose electrons (tiny particles that make up everything around us).
• Reduction: It's the opposite of oxidation. When something gains electrons or loses oxygen, it's like when you polish metal to make it shiny again.

Think of it like a game where electrons are passed from one thing to another. When something loses electrons, it's oxidized, and when something gains electrons, it's reduced.