Oxidation

Oxidation happens when oxygen joins with other things. This changes them in different ways. Sometimes it makes rust on metal. Other times it turns a cut apple brown. Oxidation is happening all around you.

Everyday Oxidation

You can see oxidation in many places. A shiny penny gets dull as oxygen touches the copper. A sliced banana turns brown when it meets the air. Iron left outside in the rain turns rusty red. These are all slow oxidation reactions.

Fast and Slow

Some oxidation is very slow, like food going bad. Some oxidation is very fast, like a fire burning. Burning is actually a quick kind of oxidation. Your body also uses oxidation to get energy from food. Without oxygen, we could not live.

Fun Facts

• Lemon juice can slow down oxidation on fruit.
• The green color on old copper statues comes from oxidation.
• Rust is iron oxide, formed when iron oxidizes.

Did You Know?

The Statue of Liberty used to be shiny brown, but oxidation turned it the pretty green color we see today.