Question

Does an oxidizing agent increase or decrease its own oxidation state when it acts on another atom? Does a reducing agent increase or decrease its own oxidation state when it acts on another substance?

Short answer

When an oxidizing agent acts on another atom, its oxidation state decreases as it accepts electrons and undergoes reduction. On the other hand, when a reducing agent acts on another substance, its oxidation state increases as it donates electrons and undergoes oxidation.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Oxidizing and Reducing Agents

Oxidizing agents and reducing agents play essential roles in redox reactions. In such reactions, one substance loses electrons (getting oxidized), while the other gains electrons (getting reduced). An oxidizing agent is a substance that has the ability to accept electrons from another substance, causing it to be reduced. The oxidizing agent itself, in the process, gets oxidized. A reducing agent is a substance that has the ability to donate electrons to another substance, causing it to be oxidized. The reducing agent, in the process, gets reduced.

Oxidation State of an Oxidizing Agent

When an oxidizing agent acts on another atom, it accepts electrons from the other atom. Since the process of accepting electrons is called reduction, the oxidizing agent gets reduced. When a substance undergoes reduction, its oxidation state decreases. Therefore, an oxidizing agent decreases its own oxidation state when it acts on another atom.

Oxidation State of a Reducing Agent

When a reducing agent acts on another substance, it donates electrons to that substance. Since the process of losing electrons is called oxidation, the reducing agent gets oxidized. When a substance undergoes oxidation, its oxidation state increases. Therefore, a reducing agent increases its own oxidation state when it acts on another substance. In conclusion: - An oxidizing agent decreases its own oxidation state when it acts on another atom. - A reducing agent increases its own oxidation state when it acts on another substance.