Question

In $C+H_{2}O⟶CO+H_2,H_{2}O$ acts as a:

• A. Oxidising agent
• B. Reducing agent
• C. (a) and (b) both
• D. None of these

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Oxidising agent

The molecule which contains an atom whose oxidation number decreases during the reaction is known as an oxidising agent. Similarly, the molecule with an atom whose oxidising number increases during a reaction is called a reducing agent.

In this reaction $H_{2}O$ acts as an oxidising agent as it causes oxidation of carbon by losing two electrons and gets reduced itself(decreasing its oxidation number from +1 to 0).