An oxidizing agent is a substance that causes another substance to lose electrons in a chemical reaction. It is itself reduced in the process. A reducing agent is a substance that causes another substance to gain electrons, and is itself oxidized in the process.
The oxidizing agent can be identified as the substance that is reduced, while the reducing agent is the substance that is oxidized. This can be determined by looking at the changes in oxidation numbers for each element involved in the reaction.
Yes, a substance can act as both an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent in different reactions. This depends on the reaction conditions and the relative strengths of the substances involved.
Common examples of oxidizing agents include oxygen, chlorine, and hydrogen peroxide. Common examples of reducing agents include hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.
To balance a chemical equation involving oxidizing and reducing agents, first balance the atoms of each element involved in the reaction. Then, balance the charges by adding electrons to the side that is more positive and removing electrons from the side that is more negative.