MP Board · Class 10 · Science · Chemical Reactions and EquationsExplain the term 'oxidation' in the context of chemical reactions.

Oxidation is a chemical reaction that involves the loss of one or more electrons by a substance. It is often characterized by the gain of oxygen or the loss of hydrogen. Oxidation reactions are a crucial part of many chemical processes, including combustion reactions, rusting of iron, and the metabolism of food in living organisms. In oxidation reactions, the substance that loses electrons is said to be oxidized, and the substance that gains electrons is said to be reduced.