How to increase oxidation in something

  • Thread starter Thread starter TheQuietOne
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    increase Oxidation
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of increasing the rate of oxidation in various objects. Participants explore the definition and implications of oxidation, as well as potential methods to achieve this increase, while addressing ambiguities in the original question.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the clarity of the phrase "increase oxidation in an object," suggesting it lacks specificity.
  • One participant clarifies that increasing the oxidation state involves losing electrons and that the method depends on the specific object in question.
  • Another participant points out that "rate of oxidation" could refer to various processes, such as combustion in wood or fuel consumption in engines, highlighting the ambiguity of the term.
  • A suggestion is made to immerse the object in pure oxygen and apply heat, such as with lasers, to potentially increase oxidation.
  • A later reply warns about the dangers of heating an oxygen tank, indicating safety concerns related to the proposed method.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express disagreement regarding the clarity and specificity of the original question. Multiple competing views on how to interpret and approach the concept of increasing oxidation remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the term "oxidation" is often used in specific contexts, such as atomic or molecular levels, rather than macroscopic objects. There is also a lack of consensus on the exact meaning of "rate of oxidation."

TheQuietOne
Messages
61
Reaction score
6
Not sure if this is Chemistry or not, but how would one increase oxidation in an object?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Define "increase oxidation in an object". As worded this statement doesn't make sense.
 
Sorry, I meant increase the rate of oxidation in an object.
 
Increasing the oxidation state means that it would need to continue losing electrons. How to do that depends upon the "object" that you are wondering about, as there various oxidants that can be used. Can you be more specific?
 
Last edited:
TheQuietOne said:
rate of oxidation in an object

I am afraid it still absurdly ambiguous.

"Rate of oxidation in an object" can be the speed at which wood is burnt in my fireplace, speed at which the fuel is consumed in a car engine, the speed at which battery works, or the speed at which I am burning glucose when riding on a bike (plus some).

Do you see why it is not possible to even try to answer your question?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Bystander
Going through some terminology here may be of assistance for you. The term oxidation already implies a change by its very definition, so your question does carry a sort of roundabout meaning. I did still attempt to understand what you are trying to ask though. This term is probably best used in the context of atoms or molecules (not macroscopic objects).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox
 
Immerse your object into (as best as can be achieved), 100% pure Oxygen?.
Maybe then heat it up with lasers?
 
Yes! thank you rootone! ( sorry about my lack of chemistry knowledg to y'all)
 
...careful not to heat an oxygen tank up with a laser, it could explode.
 

Similar threads

Diamond oxidation -- covalent bonds
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
About oxidation and reduction in organic Chemistry
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
How does iron oxide accelerate cyanoacrylate glue curing?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Why Can't Tertiary Alcohols Be Oxidized?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Electrolysis: Dark blue oxide from steel?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
I do not understand oxidizers and what they do
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Group I/II Metal oxides always basic in aqueous solution -- why?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Photocatalytic oxidation over TiO2
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Will charcoal (carbon) oxidize in the air?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Do oxides react react with a weak acid like phosphoric acid?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K