An oxidizing agent is

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Multiple Choice

An oxidizing agent is

Explanation:
Redox reactions revolve around the transfer of electrons. The oxidizing agent is the species that accepts electrons from another substance, so it itself is reduced in the process. That’s why the correct description is a species that gets reduced. The partner that donates electrons is the reducing agent and gets oxidized. Donating electrons characterizes a reducing agent, not the oxidizing agent. A substance that increases its own oxidation number would be undergoing oxidation, not reduction, which contradicts the role of the oxidizing agent.

Redox reactions revolve around the transfer of electrons. The oxidizing agent is the species that accepts electrons from another substance, so it itself is reduced in the process. That’s why the correct description is a species that gets reduced. The partner that donates electrons is the reducing agent and gets oxidized. Donating electrons characterizes a reducing agent, not the oxidizing agent. A substance that increases its own oxidation number would be undergoing oxidation, not reduction, which contradicts the role of the oxidizing agent.

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