What is a common example of oxidation?

Rusting iron is a classic example of oxidation because it involves a chemical reaction between iron and oxygen, typically from moisture in the environment. During this process, iron reacts with oxygen from the air or water, forming iron oxide, which is commonly known as rust. This reaction not only changes the appearance of iron but also deteriorates its structural integrity over time.

Oxidation, in a broader sense, refers to any reaction in which a substance loses electrons and increases its oxidation state. In the case of rusting, iron loses electrons to oxygen, resulting in the formation of iron oxide.

While burning wood and combustion of fuel also involve oxidation reactions—where substances react with oxygen to release energy—rusting specifically highlights the gradual nature of oxidation in solid materials over time, distinguishing it as a more common example of oxidation in everyday life. Water evaporation, on the other hand, does not involve a chemical change rather it is a physical process where liquid water transitions to water vapor without involving oxidation.