Redox Reactions

Oxidising and Reducing Agents

a. An oxidising agent is a substance that oxidises another substance by

1. adding or donating oxygen to the substance
2. removing hydrogen to the substance
3. removing electrons from the substance

In the process of oxidising another substance, the oxidising agent itself becomes reduced. In a redox reaction, the substance that is reduced is an oxidising agent.

b. A reducing agent is a substance that reduces another substance by

1. adding/donating hydrogen to the substance
2. removing oxygen from the substance
3. adding/donating electrons to the substance

In the process of reducing another substance, the reducing agent itself becomes oxidised. In a redox reaction, the substance that is oxidised is a reducing agent.

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