Question

Name: Two substances which undergo rapid oxidation.

Answer 1

Hint: Oxidation is the process of losing electrons. The elements which tend to lose electrons undergo oxidation. Rapid oxidation is the rapid burning of a compound in the presence of oxygen. This reaction liberates light and heat.

Complete step by step answer:
Oxidation refers to the process of loss of electrons by a molecule during a reaction. Thus, the elements which are reactive and tend to lose an electron easily to gain noble gas configuration undergo oxidation. When the oxidation state of a molecule increases, it undergoes oxidation. In reactions where oxygen is one of the reactants then, gaining of oxygen is known as oxidation and the substance that gives oxygen to the other is known as the oxidising agent which is said to be reduced.

For example let us consider the example of iron metal which is said to undergo oxidation to form iron oxide which is commonly known as rust. Oxygen in the same reaction is reduced. Rapid oxidation refers to the process in which a material burns rapidly and produces light and heat in the presence of oxygen. It may even cause an explosion.

The two substances which undergo rapid oxidation are:
- Carbon $(C)$
- Sodium $(Na)$

Carbon burns rapidly in the presence of oxygen and liberates heat and light. While burning carbon and its compounds are oxidised to form carbon dioxide. Carbon in its various forms like graphite and diamond burn at different temperatures rapidly. The incomplete combustion of carbon gives carbon monoxide.
$C(s) + {O_2}(g) \to C{O_2}(g)$
Sodium burns rapidly in the presence of oxygen. In the reaction of sodium and oxygen, sodium is oxidised and burns with an orange flame liberating heat and light.
$4Na + {O_2} \to 2N{a_2}O$

Note:
Reduction is the process of gaining electrons. When a compound tends to gain electrons to attain noble gas configuration, it is reduced. In the reaction where oxygen is a reactant then the loss of oxygen is referred to as reduction. Often in oxidation reactions, oxygen undergoes reduction. The compound which is reduced is said to be the oxidising agent and the compound which is oxidised is said to be the reducing agent.