Question

Define spontaneous oxidation.

Answer 1

Spontaneous oxidation -

• A type of oxidation in which a substance begins to burn on its own, without being ignited by a spark or flame is called spontaneous oxidation.
• Example- Metals such as sodium and potassium spontaneously react with oxygen to form their respective oxides.

$\underset{\mathrm{Sodium}}{4\mathrm{Na}}+\underset{\mathrm{Oxygen}}{{\mathrm{O}}_2}\to \underset{\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{oxide}}{2{\mathrm{Na}}_2\mathrm{O}}$