Metal Oxides are compounds formed when metals react with oxygen. This reaction, known as oxidation, involves the addition of oxygen to a metal. The result is the formation of a metal oxide, which is generally a solid at room temperature.

When a metal reacts with oxygen, a chemical reaction occurs, resulting in the formation of a metal oxide.

The general word equation for this reaction is:

This process is a type of oxidation, where the metal gains oxygen atoms. For example:

• Magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide $(MgO)$, a white powder.
• Iron reacts with oxygen to form iron(III) oxide $(Fe₂O₃)$, commonly known as rust.