Differentiate between the oxidizing agent and reducing agent.

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Solution

Oxidizing agent Reducing agent
These are substances that themselves get reduced in a chemical reaction These are substances that themselves get oxidized in a chemical reaction
They oxidized the other substance present in a chemical reaction They reduced the other substances present in a chemical reaction
The oxidizing agent will either gain electrons or the addition of hydrogen will take place over it The Reducing agent will lose electrons or removal of hydrogen will take place over it
Removal of oxygen will take place The addition of oxygen will take place
Example: CuO (s) + H₂(g) $\to$ Cu(s) +H₂O(l)
CuO (Cupric oxide) is acting as an oxidizing agent
Example: CuO (s) + H₂(g) $\to$ Cu(s) +H₂O(l)
H₂(Hydrogen gas) is acting as the reducing agent

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Oxidizing agent	Reducing agent
These are substances that themselves get reduced in a chemical reaction	These are substances that themselves get oxidized in a chemical reaction
They oxidized the other substance present in a chemical reaction	They reduced the other substances present in a chemical reaction
The oxidizing agent will either gain electrons or the addition of hydrogen will take place over it	The Reducing agent will lose electrons or removal of hydrogen will take place over it
Removal of oxygen will take place	The addition of oxygen will take place
Example: CuO (s) + H₂(g) $\to$ Cu(s) +H₂O(l) CuO (Cupric oxide) is acting as an oxidizing agent	Example: CuO (s) + H₂(g) $\to$ Cu(s) +H₂O(l) H₂(Hydrogen gas) is acting as the reducing agent