Define oxidation in chemistry

Oxidation, in the context of chemistry, refers to a chemical reaction where a substance loses electrons or gains oxygen atoms. It is a fundamental process that plays a crucial role in various chemical reactions and is an essential concept in understanding the behaviour of elements and compounds. To define oxidation in chemistry is easy. 

During oxidation, the substance that undergoes the reaction is referred to as the reducing agent or reductant. It donates electrons to another substance, which is known as the oxidising agent or oxidant. The oxidising agent accepts the electrons and gets reduced in the process.

The concept of oxidation is closely related to the concept of reduction, and the two processes often occur simultaneously and are referred to as redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions. In a redox reaction, one substance is oxidised (loses electrons) while another substance is reduced (gains electrons).

In summary, oxidation is a chemical process that involves the loss of electrons or the addition of oxygen atoms to a substance. It is an important concept in chemistry and is often coupled with reduction in redox reactions. Understanding oxidation is crucial for comprehending various chemical reactions and their applications in different fields.