A substance which oxidises itself and reduces other is known as
A substance which oxidises itself and reduces other is known as
The correct option is B a reducing agent
Explanation for correct answer
Oxidation and reduction reactions are used to express the transfer of electrons. When an electron is transferred from one species to another, one of the species loses an electron and the other one gains an electron. Oxidation and reduction reactions occur simultaneously and are called redox reactions.
The reactant that loses an electron in a redox reaction is said to be oxidized. Oxidation can be also be defined as the addition of oxygen or increase in oxidation state.
The species that helps in reduction of another species by donating electron is called the reducing agent. Since the reducing agent donates electron, it undergoes oxidation. Therefore, reducing agent is any species that oxidizes itself and reduces the other. Some examples of reducing agents are Sodium (Na), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) etc.
Explanations for wrong answers
(A) Reduction occurs to the reactant that accepts the electron. Reduction can also be defined as a decrease in oxidation state or removal of oxygen.
The species that helps in the oxidation of the other reactant by accepting electrons is called an oxidizing agent. Therefore, the oxidizing agent accepts electrons and therefore, gets reduced. Option (A) is incorrect.
(C) Since a species undergoes only oxidation, it is not an oxidizing agent. Option (C) is incorrect.
The correct option is (B) a reducing agent.
a reducing agent
Explanation for correct answer
Oxidation and reduction reactions are used to express the transfer of electrons. When an electron is transferred from one species to another, one of the species loses an electron and the other one gains an electron. Oxidation and reduction reactions occur simultaneously and are called redox reactions.
The reactant that loses an electron in a redox reaction is said to be oxidized. Oxidation can be also be defined as the addition of oxygen or increase in oxidation state.
The species that helps in reduction of another species by donating electron is called the reducing agent. Since the reducing agent donates electron, it undergoes oxidation. Therefore, reducing agent is any species that oxidizes itself and reduces the other. Some examples of reducing agents are Sodium (Na), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) etc.
Explanations for wrong answers
(A) Reduction occurs to the reactant that accepts the electron. Reduction can also be defined as a decrease in oxidation state or removal of oxygen.
The species that helps in the oxidation of the other reactant by accepting electrons is called an oxidizing agent. Therefore, the oxidizing agent accepts electrons and therefore, gets reduced. Option (A) is incorrect.
(C) Since a species undergoes only oxidation, it is not an oxidizing agent. Option (C) is incorrect.
The correct option is (B) a reducing agent.
