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Oxidative reaction -

• Typically, a substance being oxidised looses electrons to oxygen and forms a bond with the oxygen atom (hence the term oxidation).
  
  E.g. the combustion of methane (CH₄)
  
  

  One Methane

  Two Oxygen

  (spark or flame)

  One Carbon Dioxide

  Two Water

  Gas Molecule

  and

  Gas Molecules

  React to Form

  Gas Molecule

  and

  Gas Molecules

  .

  CH4

  +

  2O2

  < = >

  CO2

  +

  2H2O

  (gas)

  (gas)

  (gas)

  (gas)

  
  
  The Carbon (C) in Methane (CH₄) is being oxidised by Oxygen (O₂) to Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
  
  
• Because of oxygen's unreactivity, oxidation is normally mediated by catalysts