Science glossary film: Oxide

Any compound in which oxygen is combined with another element. Water, or H₂O, and rust, or iron oxide, are both oxides. Most of the Earth's crust is composed of oxides – about 60% silicon dioxide, the main constituent of sand and quartz, 15% aluminium oxide, and the remainder is mainly composed of a handful of other metal oxides.

Water, or H₂O, and rust, or iron oxide, are both oxides. Most of the Earth's crust is composed of oxides – about 60% silicon dioxide, the main constituent of sand and quartz, 15% aluminium oxide, and the remainder is mainly composed of a handful of other metal oxides.