Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry · Syllabus 0620 · Electrochemistry
Oxidation
What is Oxidation?
The loss of electrons by a species. In electrolysis it happens at the anode, where negative ions arriving from the electrolyte give up electrons to the electrode and are released as neutral atoms or molecules; in a half-equation the electrons are written on the right-hand side.
This definition is part of the Electrochemistry chapter in Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry.
Common mistakes with Oxidation
- 4. "Oxidation is gain of electrons." Supplement 4.1.11 Repair Oxidation is loss of electrons and happens at the anode; reduction is gain of electrons and happens at the cathode — write the full words, then check the side your electrons are on. Taught in Lesson F.