Question

What is an oxidizing agent? What is a reducing agent?

Short answer

An oxidizing agent is a substance that gains electrons in a redox reaction, causing another substance to be oxidized. It usually contains oxygen or other electronegative elements, like potassium permanganate (KMnO${}_4$). A reducing agent is a substance that loses electrons in a redox reaction, causing another substance to be reduced. It is often metals or hydrides, such as zinc (Zn), which donates electrons to other species during the reaction.

Step-by-step solution

Define Oxidizing Agent

An oxidizing agent, also known as an oxidant or oxidizer, is a substance that gains electrons in a redox reaction and causes another substance to be oxidized. In other words, an oxidizing agent takes electrons from other species during the reaction. A common characteristic of oxidizing agents is that they usually contain oxygen or other electronegative elements.

Example of Oxidizing Agent

An example of an oxidizing agent is potassium permanganate (KMnO${}_4$). In a redox reaction, potassium permanganate gains electrons, and its manganese atom is reduced from its initial oxidation state of +7 to a lower oxidation state.

Define Reducing Agent

A reducing agent, also known as a reductant or reducer, is a substance that loses electrons in a redox reaction and causes another substance to be reduced. In other words, a reducing agent gives electrons to other species during the reaction. A common characteristic of reducing agents is that they are usually metals or hydrides.

Example of Reducing Agent

An example of a reducing agent is zinc (Zn). In a redox reaction, zinc loses electrons, and its oxidation state increases, meaning it is oxidized. Zinc effectively donates its electrons to another species, causing that species to be reduced.