What is a reducing agent and an oxidizing agent?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for definitions and explanations of the terms 'reducing agent' and 'oxidizing agent' in the context of chemistry. A reducing agent is a substance that donates electrons in a chemical reaction and gets oxidized itself, while an oxidizing agent is a substance that accepts electrons and gets reduced in the reaction.
Answer
An oxidizing agent gets reduced, and a reducing agent gets oxidized.
The final answer is an oxidizing agent gets reduced by accepting electrons, and a reducing agent gets oxidized by donating electrons.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is an oxidizing agent gets reduced by accepting electrons, and a reducing agent gets oxidized by donating electrons.
More Information
In redox reactions, oxidizing agents accept electrons and thus get reduced, while reducing agents donate electrons and get oxidized themselves.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing which agent undergoes oxidation and which undergoes reduction. Remember: oxidizing agents get reduced, reducing agents get oxidized.
Sources
- Oxidizing and Reducing Agents - Chemistry LibreTexts - chem.libretexts.org
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