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% aluminum 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% aluminum oxide, and the remainder is mainly composed of a handful of other metal oxides.