Chemical reactions: oxidation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe oxidation reactions, including combustion and rusting, and name the products of some oxidation reactions.
Key learning points
- Combustion requires fuel, heat and oxygen, and will not happen without one of them.
- When a substance reacts to combine with oxygen, this is called oxidation.
- Examples of oxidation are combustion and rusting.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Equipment
Copper, magnesium, iron wool, Bunsen burner, heat resistant mat, tongs.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following best describes an element?
Q2.What happens to the total mass of substances during a chemical reaction?
Q3.Match the following terms with their definitions:
Substances present at the start of a reaction.
Substances formed by a chemical reaction.
A symbolic representation of a chemical reaction.
The classification of a chemical reaction.
Q4.A is a substance made of two or more elements chemically bonded.
Q5.Why is it important to follow safety protocols in the laboratory?
Q6.A change results in the formation of new substances with different chemical properties, such as burning or rusting.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In an oxidation reaction involving magnesium and oxygen, which of the following is a correct product?
Q2.What are the three necessary components for combustion to occur?
Q3. is a type of reaction in which oxygen bonds to elements of the reactants.
Q4.What is rusting?
Q5.An oxide is a compound containing that is formed during an oxidation reaction.
Q6.Match the key words to their definitions:
The corrosion of iron or steel in the presence of water and oxygen.
When a metal reduces in size due to a chemical reaction.
A reaction in which oxygen bonds to elements of the reactants.
To help you plan your 8 science lesson on: Chemical reactions: oxidation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 science lesson on: Chemical reactions: oxidation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Understanding chemical reactions unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.