In a redox reaction, the reducing agent is which of the following?

In a redox reaction, the reducing agent is which of the following?

• A. Something that gets reduced
• B. Something that gets oxidised
• C. A catalyst
• D. A solvent

Answer: (B)

Redox reactions hinge on electrons moving from one substance to another. Oxidation is the loss of electrons, while reduction is the gain of electrons. The reducing agent is the substance that donates electrons to the other reactant; in doing so, it loses electrons and becomes oxidised. So the thing that drives the reduction of the other species is the one that undergoes oxidation itself. In contrast, the oxidising agent is the substance that gets reduced, often accepting electrons. A catalyst speeds up the reaction without being consumed in the overall process, and a solvent is just the medium in which the reaction occurs, not a participant in the electron transfer.

Redox reactions hinge on electrons moving from one substance to another. Oxidation is the loss of electrons, while reduction is the gain of electrons. The reducing agent is the substance that donates electrons to the other reactant; in doing so, it loses electrons and becomes oxidised. So the thing that drives the reduction of the other species is the one that undergoes oxidation itself.

In contrast, the oxidising agent is the substance that gets reduced, often accepting electrons. A catalyst speeds up the reaction without being consumed in the overall process, and a solvent is just the medium in which the reaction occurs, not a participant in the electron transfer.