Question

What is the relationship between oxidation and oxIdising agent in a Redox reaction ? Write an example of redox teaction showing the relationship between oxidation and oxidizing agent ?

Answer 1

Hi there !!

Oxidation is the gaining of oxygen and losing of Hydrogen
Reduction is the gaining of hydrogen and losing of oxygen

An oxidising agent oxidises other substances.
Oxidising agent gets reduced while oxidising other substances.

A reducing agents reduces other substances .
Reducing agents get oxidised while reducing other substances.


Let us take an example :-

Zn + CO ---> ZnO + C

Here ,

Zn gets oxidised ( addition of oxygen ) and becomes ZnO (Zinc oxide )

Also ,
Carbonmonoxide (CO) gets reduced ( loses oxygen) and becomes Carbon (C)

Here ,

Zn is the reducing agent as it reduces CO and becomes ZnO.
Also , CO is the oxidising agent as it oxidises zinc .


Summary :-

1) Oxidation ---> { Gaining of Oxygen OR Reduction of Hydrogen }
2) Reduction ---> { Gaining of Hydrogen OR Reduction of Oxygen }
3) Reducing agents gets oxidised in the reaction
4) Oxidising agents gets reduced in the reaction

Answer 2

Heya,

Oxidation:- It is a process in which either oxygen is added to a substance or hydrogen is removed from the substance.

Oxidising agent:- A substance which gives oxygen or removes hydrogen for oxidation

They are related.Oxidising agent helps oxidation to take place.

Consider the following example:-

MnO₂ + 4 HCl ------> MnCl₂ + Cl₂ + 2H₂O

Here,
Substance oxidised:- Hcl because Hydrogen is being removed from it.

Oxidising agent:- MnO₂ because it gives out oxygen for oxidation.

This clearly shows the relation between them.

Oxidising agent MnO₂ is helping for oxidation reaction to take place.

Hope it helps u..........