Question

Which best describes the reducing agent in the reaction below? 

Cl2(aq) + 2Br(aq)  2Cl(aq) + Br2(aq)
Bromine (Br) loses an electron, so it is the reducing agent.Bromine (Br) gains an electron, so it is the reducing agent.Chlorine (Cl) loses an electron, so it is the reducing agent. Chlorine (Cl) gains an electron, so it is the reducing agent.

Answer 1

The right answer is Bromine (Br) loses an electron, so it is the reducing agent.

A reducing agent is a molecule giving one or more electrons and thus becomes an oxidized substance.

In the reaction, the negatively charged bromide gave an electron to the chlorine. The reaction results in chloride (which has been reduced by recieving an electron from bromide, the reducing agent) and bromine.

Answer 2

A reducing agent is an element or a compound that looses or donates electrons in a chemical reaction. The reducing agent undergoes oxidation (loss of electrons) in a chemical reaction. Bromine losses an electron and therefore it is the reducing agent while chlorine gains electrons and therefore it is an oxidizing agent.