The elements iron and oxygen can react to form the compound iron oxide. what type of reaction is this? explain.

Your reaction
.. Fe + O2 ---> FexOy
for this reaction..
.. the Fe on the left is in the 0 oxidation state
.. the Fe on the right is in the +(2y/x) oxidation state
.. the O on the left is in the 0 oxidation state
.. the O on the right is in the -2 oxidation state
meaning
.. the O is reduced... . . (it's reduced in oxidation state)
.. the Fe is oxidized.. . .(oxidation state increased)
this is a REDOX reaction


AND.. it's also a synthesis reaction.. (aka combination reaction)

Less stable  hope this