The oxidation of ethanol involves two steps: first, ethanol is oxidized to acetaldehyde (ethanal), and then acetaldehyde is further oxidized to acetic acid (ethanoic acid). 

Ethanol (CH\(_3\)CH\(_2\)OH) is oxidized to acetaldehyde (CH\(_3\)CHO). This process involves the removal of a hydrogen atom from the carbon atom that is bonded to the alcohol group (-OH). Acetaldehyde (CH\(_3\)CHO) is then further oxidized to acetic acid (CH\(_3\)COOH). This involves the addition of an oxygen atom to the carbon atom that is bonded to the aldehyde group (-CHO). Strong oxidizing agents like acidified potassium dichromate (K\(_2\)Cr\(_2\)O\(_7\)) or alkaline potassium permanganate (KMnO\(_4\)) are commonly used to oxidize ethanol.