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What determines if an agent can act as an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Oxidants (oxidizing agents) are capable of taking up electrons. The strongest oxidant elements are found in the upper-right corner of the Periodic Table (O, F, Cl), except the noble gases (group 18).
Reductant donate electons, the strongest elemental reductants are 'left and low' in the periodic table (Cs, Ba, Rb), except Li (left-high) which is exceptionally the strongest.
Ox + e- --> R-
Red --> O+ + e-
Together:
Ox + Red --> O+R-
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoOriginal equation: Fe + Cl2 ---> FeCl3
Balanced equation: 2Fe + 3Cl2 ---> 2FeCl3
Balanced equation with charges: 2Fe(0) + 3Cl2(0) ---> 2Fe(+3)Cl3(-1)
If an item is being reduced it is gaining electrons and therefore losing charge, and if an item is being oxidized it is losing electrons and therefore gaining charge. If an item is being reduced it is the oxidizing agent, and if an item is being oxidized it is the reducing agent.
So to determine the oxidizing agent in a reaction of iron and chlorine you must determine the charges. Then it is easy to tell that iron is being oxidized, therefore is the reducing agent, and chlorine is being reduced and therefore is the oxidizing agent.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agothe oxidizing agent is the element that loses electrons in the equation.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoYou can't identify them because they'll react.
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Does ferrous ion act as reducing or oxidizing agent?
ferrous ion act as reducing agent as it will be oxidized into ferric
What does hydrchloric acid do?
Hydrochloric acid can act as a Bronsted acid, an oxidizing agent and as a reducing agent.
What is the Difference between an oxidizing agent and reducing agent?
An oxidizing agent oxidizes the reducing agent, while the reducing agent reduces the oxidizing agent. In simple terms, both processes occur simultaneously. Oxidizing is defined as: the gain of oxygen, loss of hydrogen or loss of electrons. E.g.: C + O2 -> CO2 In this case oxygen would be the oxidizing agent as it supplies oxygen to the carbon. Similarly carbon would be the reducing agent in this case.
Write half-reactions that show how H2O2 can act as either an oxidizing agent or reducing agent?
ask your teacher
Is sulphuric acid an oxdising or a reducing agent?
Sulfuric acid can act as both as an oxidizing agent as well as a reducing agent. It has hydrogen and sulfur which can be reduced, and oxygen which can be oxidized.
Does ferrous ion act as reducing or oxidizing agent?
ferrous ion act as reducing agent as it will be oxidized into ferric
What does hydrchloric acid do?
Hydrochloric acid can act as a Bronsted acid, an oxidizing agent and as a reducing agent.
What is the Difference between an oxidizing agent and reducing agent?
An oxidizing agent oxidizes the reducing agent, while the reducing agent reduces the oxidizing agent. In simple terms, both processes occur simultaneously. Oxidizing is defined as: the gain of oxygen, loss of hydrogen or loss of electrons. E.g.: C + O2 -> CO2 In this case oxygen would be the oxidizing agent as it supplies oxygen to the carbon. Similarly carbon would be the reducing agent in this case.
Write half-reactions that show how H2O2 can act as either an oxidizing agent or reducing agent?
ask your teacher
Is sulphuric acid an oxdising or a reducing agent?
Sulfuric acid can act as both as an oxidizing agent as well as a reducing agent. It has hydrogen and sulfur which can be reduced, and oxygen which can be oxidized.
Are bases oxidizing agents?
Whether something is an oxidizing or reducing agent is not dependent on whether it is an acid or a base. Some bases can act as oxidizing agents while others are reducing agents. Some can act as either oxidizers or reducers depending on the reaction.
Can the compound H2O2 act both as oxidizing and reducing agent?
Yes it can, depending on the acidity of the solution.
Why phosphoric acid is not reducing agent?
It is an oxy acid which may act as an oxidizing agent, reducing agents are those which may produce atomic hydrogen or hydride ion.
Is Cu an oxidizing agent?
I'm almost certain that it can be used as an oxidizing agent. It is not as strong persay as Potassium permanganate, but depending on to what extent you are oxidizing something, that may be a good thing.
Why does bleaching powder act as bleaching agent?
due to strong oxidizing agent
When hydrogen reacts with metal-oxides it act as reducing agent or a oxidizing agent?
It reduces the oxides acting as a reducing agent.
Tin has a reduction potential of 0.15 V and lead has a reduction potential of -0.13 V If they are placed in contact in a solution of saltwater what will happen?
Tin will act as an oxidizing agent. Lead will act as a reducing agent. Tin will be reduced. Lead will be oxidized.
