How do you determine the oxidizing or reducing agent, Chemistry

Assignment Help:

Q. How do you determine the oxidizing or reducing agent?

Ans.

A substance that oxidizes another substance is called an oxidizing agent. One that reduces another substance is called a reducing agent.

In a redox reaction, the oxidizing agent gains electrons and is an electron acceptor. The oxidizing agent is therefore reduced in the process.

On the other hand, the reducing agent loses electrons and is an electron donor. The reducing agent is therefore oxidized in the process.

For example, 2Cu + O2 -> 2CuO can be written in ionic form as:

2Cu + O2 -> 2Cu2+ + 2O2-

The two half-reactions for this redox reaction are:

Cu -> Cu2+ + 2e- (oxidation)
O2 + 2e- -> 2O2- (reduction)

Copper is the reducing agent because it is donating electrons to the oxygen. It can be said that the copper is reducing the oxygen by making the oxygen negative. Notice that the copper is itself oxidized in the process.

Oxygen is the oxidizing agent because it is accepting electrons. Notice that the oxygen is itself reduced in the process.


Related Discussions:- How do you determine the oxidizing or reducing agent

Help, what is the trend for ionization energy and metals in the periodic ta...

what is the trend for ionization energy and metals in the periodic table

Quantitative analysis - estimation of elements, Quantitative analysis - Est...

Quantitative analysis - Estimation of Elements After qualitative analysis of elements, the another step in the determination of molecular formula of an organic compound is

Uses of aromatic nitro compounds, Uses of Aromatic Nitro Compounds (a) ...

Uses of Aromatic Nitro Compounds (a) Aromatic Nitro Compounds are used on account of their high polarity, aromatic nitro compounds are used as solvents. (b) Nitro compounds

Lanthanides and actinides, why YbS and YbI2 are semiconducting solids but L...

why YbS and YbI2 are semiconducting solids but LaS and LaI2 show metallic character..

Resonance effect or mesomeric effect - Difference be, what is the Differenc...

what is the Difference between Mesomerism and Resonance

Naming, What does this mean? H+/H2O

What does this mean? H+/H2O

Composition of rna vary from that of dna, How does  the composition of RNA ...

How does  the composition of RNA vary from that of DNA, and how does that affect the chemical stability of the molecule?

Determination of accuracy of volume marking on glassware, Determination of ...

Determination of accuracy of volume marking on glassware I. PURPOSE OF THE EXPERIMENT To become familiar with the laboratory environment and to acquire skills in accur

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd