Explain the terms-oxidation and oxidizing agent.

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Solution

Oxidation is a chemical reaction that involves addition of oxygen or removal of hydrogen from a substance. For example, when carbon reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, it is said to be oxidised by gaining oxygen.
C + O₂ → CO₂
Carbon Oxygen Carbon
dioxide

Similarly, when hydrogen sulphide reacts with chlorine, hydrogen sulphide is said to be oxidised to sulphur by loss of hydrogen.

H₂S + Cl₂ → S + 2HCl
Hydrogen Chlorine Sulphur Hydrochloric
sulphide acid

An oxidising agent is one that oxidises other substances either by providing oxygen to them or by removing hydrogen from them.

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