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      Chemical reactions: oxidation

      I can describe oxidation reactions, including combustion and rusting, and name the products of some oxidation reactions.

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      Lesson 3 of 6
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      • Year 8

      Chemical reactions: oxidation

      I can describe oxidation reactions, including combustion and rusting, and name the products of some oxidation reactions.

      Lesson details

      Key learning points

      1. Combustion requires fuel, heat and oxygen, and will not happen without one of them.
      2. When a substance reacts to combine with oxygen, this is called oxidation.
      3. Examples of oxidation are combustion and rusting.
      4. One of the products of oxidation is always an oxide, but the other products vary.

      Keywords

      • Oxidation - a type of reaction in which oxygen bonds to elements of the reactants

      • Oxide - a compound containing oxygen that is formed during an oxidation reaction

      • Rusting - refers to the corrosion of iron or steel, in the presence of water and oxygen

      • Corrosion - when a metal reduces in size due to a chemical reaction

      Common misconception

      Pupils often think that all metals rust.

      Explain that rust is a form of iron oxide and show pupils other examples of metal oxides, e.g. copper oxide, to show how different they are.

      Talk through what an observation looks like in a science experiment. Set up Andeep's rusting experiment prior to the lesson in order to show the real outcomes once students have predicted the outcome.
      Teacher tip

      Equipment

      Copper, magnesium, iron wool, Bunsen burner, heat resistant mat, tongs.

      Content guidance

      • Risk assessment required - equipment

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

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      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of the following best describes an element?

      A substance made of two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded.
      Correct answer: A pure substance consisting of only one type of atom.
      A mixture of two or more substances.
      A substance that cannot change physical state.

      Q2.
      What happens to the total mass of substances during a chemical reaction?

      It increases.
      It decreases.
      Correct answer: It remains the same.
      It varies depending on the reaction.

      Q3.
      Match the following terms with their definitions:

      Correct Answer:Reactants,Substances present at the start of a reaction.
      Correct Answer:Products,Substances formed by a chemical reaction.
      Correct Answer:Chemical Equation,A symbolic representation of a chemical reaction.
      Correct Answer:Reaction Type,The classification of a chemical reaction.

      Q4.
      A is a substance made of two or more elements chemically bonded.

      Correct answer: Compound
      Mixture
      Gas
      Aqueous solution

      Q5.
      Why is it important to follow safety protocols in the laboratory?

      Correct answer: To prevent accidents and injuries.
      To ensure accurate experimental results.
      Correct answer: To protect the environment.
      To speed up experiments.

      Q6.
      A change results in the formation of new substances with different chemical properties, such as burning or rusting.

      Correct Answer: chemical

      Assessment exit quiz

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      6 Questions

      Q1.
      In an oxidation reaction involving magnesium and oxygen, which of the following is a correct product?

      Magnesium chloride
      Correct answer: Magnesium oxide
      Magnesium hydroxide
      Magnesium carbonate

      Q2.
      What are the three necessary components for combustion to occur?

      Correct answer: Fuel
      Light
      Correct answer: Heat
      Water
      Correct answer: Oxygen

      Q3.
      is a type of reaction in which oxygen bonds to elements of the reactants.

      Correct Answer: oxidation

      Q4.
      What is rusting?

      The formation of water on a metal surface.
      Correct answer: The corrosion of iron or steel in the presence of water and oxygen.
      The melting of iron at high temperatures.
      The process of painting metal surfaces.
      The reaction of metals with oxygen to form metal oxides.

      Q5.
      An oxide is a compound containing that is formed during an oxidation reaction.

      Correct Answer: oxygen

      Q6.
      Match the key words to their definitions:

      Correct Answer:Rusting,The corrosion of iron or steel in the presence of water and oxygen.
      Correct Answer:Corrosion,When a metal reduces in size due to a chemical reaction.
      Correct Answer:Oxidation,A reaction in which oxygen bonds to elements of the reactants.

      Lesson appears in

      UnitScience / Understanding chemical reactions

      Science

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