Effects of Oxidation in Everyday Life

In our life multiple stones come but behind them are reactions, which
are very common but we usually forget about them. These reactions
might occur frequently or even rarely but there is one such reaction
that is forgotten that doesn't mean it can't be remembered, it is none
other than Oxidation reaction. Many oxidation reactions take place in
our daily life. Some of them are useful while others are harmful.

To understand these reactions and its effects we need to understand

oxidation in depth. The redox reaction(reduction and oxidation) is a
chemical reaction where the oxidation state of 2 or more elements
changes. With respect to oxidation when an element is oxidised it
loses electrons but its oxidation state increases. Oxidation is the
addition of oxygen to an element or compound. Since oxidation is
increased in one element the other will have side effects or simply
reduced(reduction). In reduction reaction the element gains more
electrons therefore the oxidation number decreases. So an oxidation
reaction requires a reduction reaction, therefore the reaction together
is called redox.

Oxidation has many forms but the most common we all see regularly is
rusting. When iron is exposed to the air, a
bright orange compound called rust or in
chemical terms ferric oxide is formed on the
surface. Rusting requires water and air to be
present. It is a common type of corrosion. The
balanced chemical equation for the same is
4Fe + 3O2 → 2Fe2O3. We can see that the
Iron got oxidised as it gained oxygen Fig 1.1
therefore its oxidation state also increased. Rusting happens
everywhere(see Fig 1.1), any metal that is exposed to oxygen for a
long time will get oxidised and lose its metallic properties. The most
famous examples of rusting are axes, when an axe is unused for a long
time and is exposed to oxygen it rusts or oxidises.

- Tanay Shah 9A
 Have you ever noticed a pungent smell from
you potato chips that have been sitting in the
kitchen for way too long? Whenever you
observe a foul odour from any kind of fatty
food, it is determined as rancid. In short terms,
rancidity is the spoilage of food and therefore
Fig 1.2
the food becomes indigestible and release a
pungent smell or changes flavour. A food turns rancid when it
gets oxidised and its taste and smell changes(see Fig 1.2). When fats
get oxidised produces very reactive molecules in the food that became
rancid, leading to change in flavour and smell and also reduce the
nutrition of the food. It is quite evident that if anyone eats a rancid/
oxidised food they will have to face the consequences.

Oxidation reactions are even in our Medicine!! The most common

antiseptic Hydrogen Peroxide(H2O2) is used to heal wounds. When the
antiseptic is applied to the wound the bacteria gets oxidised and
therefore heals your wound by killing the bacterias cell wall as they
steal/attract the electrons. Although hydrogen peroxide is very useful
but it has also side effects like it also destroys human cells which can
slow down the natural healing process of ones body.

Oxidation reactions also fuel the most advanced form

of transportation known to man today, the space
shuttle. The rocket boosters attached to the sides of
the rocket contain ammonium perchlorate(NH4
CLO4) and powdered aluminium, this goes through an
oxidation reaction which gives the shuttle gargantuan
amounts of extra thrust therefore it needs to be
cooled with water when the shuttle is launched to
avoid exploding of the boosters.(see Fig 1.3)

Fig 1.3
To conclude with Oxidation reactions are a beacon and
make our lives easier and are literally everywhere, and I could have
kept going on with the list but these are the most famous. Oxidation is
a key that makes life flow together and is very essential to earth.
- Tanay Shah 9A


Citations :

“Corrosion and Rancidity: Definition, Prevention Method, Examples,

Videos.” Toppr-Guides, 2 Dec. 2019, www.toppr.com/guides/
chemistry/chemical-reactions-and-equations/corrosion-and-rancidity.
StudiousGuy. “9 Examples Of Redox Reactions In Everyday
Life.” StudiousGuy, 20 Feb. 2019, studiousguy.com/examples-redox-
reactions-everyday-life.

“Real-Life Applications - Oxidation-Reduction Reactions - Combustion

and Explosions, Combustion in Human Experience, Explosions and
Explosives.” Science Clarified, www.scienceclarified.com/everyday/
Real-Life-Chemistry-Vol-2/Oxidation-Reduction-Reactions-Real-life-
applications.html. Accessed 24 Apr. 2020.

“JEE Main, JEE Advanced, CBSE, NEET, IIT, Free Study Packages, Test
Papers, Counselling, Ask Experts - Studyadda.Com.” Study Adda,
www.studyadda.com/notes/10th-class/science/chemical-reactions-
and-equations/effect-of-oxidation-reactions-in-daily-life/6984. Accessed
24 Apr. 2020.

- Tanay Shah 9A