the.com/oxidize
the slow-motion fire turning iron into rust and apples into regret.
means To combine with oxygen or otherwise lose electrons in a chemical reaction — the process behind rusting, tarnishing, and burning.
from Built from 'oxygen' plus the verb-making suffix '-ize.' 'Oxygen' itself was coined in the late 18th century by the French chemist Lavoisier from Greek 'oxys' (sharp, acid) and 'genes' (forming) — he wrongly believed oxygen was the essential ingredient of all acids. The name stuck even after the idea didn't, and 'oxidize' followed as the natural verb for whatever oxygen got up to.
- same chemistry
- Fire and rust are the same reaction, different speeds
- oxygen optional
- Chlorine and fluorine oxidize without any oxygen present
- stolen electrons
- To oxidize means losing electrons, not gaining oxygen
- breathing counts
- Your cells oxidize glucose to keep you alive
- apple browning
- Cut fruit oxidizes in minutes, hence the lemon trick
rusting of iron — iron combines with oxygen to form iron oxide, the most common corrosion process on earth
combustion of methane — ch₄ + 2o₂ → co₂ + 2h₂o, the oxidation reaction powering natural gas burners worldwide
browning of apples — polyphenol oxidase enzyme catalyzes oxidation when apple flesh is exposed to oxygen after cutting