What does oxidation refer to in electrochemistry?

In electrochemistry, oxidation is defined as the process in which a substance loses electrons. This concept is a fundamental aspect of redox (reduction-oxidation) reactions, where the movement of electrons between chemical species plays a crucial role in energy transfer. When a species is oxidized, it undergoes an increase in oxidation state due to the loss of negatively charged electrons.

The understanding of oxidation is essential for analyzing electrochemical reactions, such as those occurring in batteries and electrolytic cells. Each oxidation event corresponds to a half-reaction, which can be paired with a reduction half-reaction, where another species gains the electrons lost in oxidation.

By grasping the meaning of oxidation as the loss of electrons, one can better interpret the underlying mechanisms of many electrochemical processes and their applications in energy conversion and storage.