Question

Identify the oxidising agent in the following reaction.
${\text{2Mg(s) +O}}_2\text{(g)}\underrightarrow{\text{Heat}}\text{2MgO(s)}$

• A. $\text{Mg}$
• B. ${\text{O}}_2$
• C. Both $\text{Mg}$ and ${\text{O}}_2$
• D. $\text{MgO}$

Answer 1

The correct option is B ${\text{O}}_2$

An oxidising agent or oxidant is a substance which:

$\bullet$ Supplies oxygen or any other electronegative element
$\bullet$ Removes hydrogen or any other electropositive element
$\bullet$ Undergoes reduction in the chemical reaction.

Here $\text{Mg}$ is oxidised by ${\text{O}}_2$ and ${\text{O}}_2$ is being reduced. Therefore, ${\text{O}}_2$ is the oxidising agent.