# Definitions **Polyatomic ions:** ions that contain several atoms **Oxidation:** lose electrons Oxidation is a chemical process. It is defined as a process that occurs when atoms or groups of atoms lose electrons. Another way to define oxidation is when a chemical species gains oxygen or loses hydrogen. E.x. Cation formation is a type of oxidation as its a loss of electrons **Reduction:** transfer of electrons between species in a chemical reaction, where there is a process of gaining electrons or a decrease in the oxidation state by an element. A reduction chemical reaction involves increasing electrons associated with a single atom or a group of atoms. E.g. Anion formation is a type of reduction as its a transference of electrons **Redox:** Transference of electrons ( reduction + oxidation ) **Octet Rule:** AToms tend to strive to achieve a noble gas configuration. Its called this because noble gases tend to have 8 valence electrons. **Vaporization:** vaporization, conversion of a substance from the liquid or solid phase into the gaseous (vapour) phase --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://knowmayus.gitbook.io/chemistry/definitions.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.