Reactions Involving Oxygen

• There are three main types of reactions that involve oxygen, these reactions are
  • Metal oxide Reactions
  • Non-metal oxide Reactions
  • Combustion Reactions

Metal Oxide Reactions

• Metal oxide reactions occur when metal and oxygen react. It can be simplified into the following formula.

Metal Oxide Formula

  				metal + oxygen -> metal oxide

• Metal oxide reactions can differ depending on the reactivity of such metal.
  • For example, magnesium is a highly reactive metal that can cause a bright light when held to a flame due to its reaction with oxygen. The light can cause severe eye damage.
  • As another example, zinc is a lesser reactive metal and creates a layer of zinc oxide when it reacts with oxygen.

Non-Metal Oxide Reactions

• Non-metal oxide reactions occur when non-metals and oxygen react. It can be simplified into the following formula.

Non-Metal Oxide Formula

  			non-metal + oxygen -> metal oxide

• Non-metal oxide reactions are known to release a lot of heat energy.

Combustion Reactions

• When organic compounds oxidate in the presence of oxygen, they release a high amount of energy. This is known as combustion (also known as burning).
• It can be simplified into the following formula.

Combustion Formula

• For combustion to occur, these factors are required.
  • Oxygen
  • Heat
  • Fuel
• Additionally, it is important to remember this word equation for carbon dioxide.
  • Carbon + Oxygen Gas → Carbon Dioxide
  • This is the same as: