Question

Identify from the following which is not an oxidizing agent.

• A. Oxygen
• B. Aluminum
• C. Chlorine
• D. Sulphuric Acid

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Aluminum

The explanation for the correct answer

Option (B) Aluminum

1. Aluminium ($\mathrm{Al}$) acts as a reducing agent because of its low standard reduction potential and also the position of aluminium is at the top of the reactivity series.
2. $\underset{\mathrm{Ferrous}\mathrm{oxide}}{{\mathrm{Fe}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{Aluminum}{2Al\left(s\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Aluminum}\mathrm{oxide}}{{\mathrm{Al}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Iron}}{2\mathrm{Fe}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}$
3. So, option (B) is correct.

The explanation for the incorrect answer

Option (A) Oxygen

1. Oxygen is considered an oxidizing agent because it has the tendency to add oxygen or remove electrons.
2. Example: $\underset{\mathrm{Magnesium}}{2\mathrm{Mg}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Dioxygen}}{{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Magnesium}\mathrm{Oxide}}{2\mathrm{MgO}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}$
3. Hence, option (A) is incorrect.

Option (C) Chlorine

1. Chlorine being an electronegative element tends to attract electrons so it acts as an oxidizing agent.
2. Example: $\underset{\mathrm{Ferrous}\mathrm{Chloride}}{2{\mathrm{FeCl}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}+\underset{Chloride}{C{l}_2\left(g\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Ferric}\mathrm{Chloride}}{2{\mathrm{FeCl}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}$
3. Hence, option (C) is incorrect.

Option (D) Sulfuric acid

1. Sulfuric acid tends to remove electrons from other atoms so, it acts as an oxidizing agent.
2. $\underset{\mathrm{Sulfur}\mathrm{Dioxide}}{{\mathrm{SO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}+\underset{HydrogenSulfide}{2H_{2}S\left(aq\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Sulfur}}{3\mathrm{S}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Water}}{2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)}$
3. Hence, option (D) is incorrect.

Therefore, due to the low reduction potential of aluminum ($\mathrm{Al}$) acts as reducing agent. so, option (B) is incorrect.