An oxidising agent is a substance that
Correct answer: B. gains electrons and is itself reduced
- A. loses electrons and is itself oxidised
- B. gains electrons and is itself reduced
- C. neither gains nor loses electrons
- D. always contains oxygen
Explanation
An oxidising agent oxidises something else by taking its electrons, so it is itself reduced in the process, and the same reasoning in reverse defines a reducing agent. Potassium permanganate and acidified potassium dichromate are common oxidising agents that contain oxygen, but chlorine is a strong oxidising agent with none, which disposes of the last option.
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About Oxidation and Reduction
Oxidation involves loss of electrons, increase in oxidation number or addition of oxygen, while reduction involves electron gain, decrease in oxidation number or removal of oxygen. The topic covers oxidising and reducing agents, oxidation-number changes, redox equations and the distinction between oxidation at the anode and reduction at the cathode.
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