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

Uses of alkenes - hydrocarbon, Uses of Alkenes (i) Alkenes are used for...

Uses of Alkenes (i) Alkenes are used for the manufacture of polythene - a plastic material;  (ii) Alkenes are used for artificial ripening of fruits; (iii) Alkenes are us

Explain harvesting techniques, Harvesting techniques Many differ...

Harvesting techniques Many different harvesting techniques are used depending on the place of sale, the type of crop and the stage of maturity of the crop to be harveste

Surface tension, surface tension assingnment with diagram

surface tension assingnment with diagram

An electron having the quantum numbers, An electron having the quantum numb...

An electron having the quantum numbers n=1, l=3, m=0 s= -1/2 , would be in the orbital: (1) 3s                      (2) 3p            (3) 4d

Inorganic chemistry, diagonal relationship between boron and silicon

diagonal relationship between boron and silicon

Choromatography, what is the name materyal of use in plate choromatgraphy

what is the name materyal of use in plate choromatgraphy

Hybridization, how find out the correct answer in multiple choice question ...

how find out the correct answer in multiple choice question regarding to complex molecule structure

Polymer - organic chemistry, Polymer Polymers are compound of extremely...

Polymer Polymers are compound of extremely high molecular masses made by the combination of a large number of simple molecules. The simple molecules that combine to offer po

Assignment, physical and chemical properties of matter

physical and chemical properties of matter

Nucleus - nomenclature of simple aromatic compounds, Nucleus - Nomenclature...

Nucleus - Nomenclature of simple aromatic compounds The benzene ring denoted by regular hexagon of six carbon atoms along with three double bonds in the alternate positions is

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