Question

Consider the reaction: 2Mg + O2 → 2MgO

Mg is ( ) and so is the ( )
O2 is ( ) and so it the ( )

*choices are Oxidize, reduced, oxidizing agent, reducing agent.

Answer 1

In this redox reaction, the charge of Mg changes from zero to +2 while oxygen charge changes from zero to -2. In this case, Mg is being oxidized which makes it the reducing agent while O is being reduced making O2 the oxidizing agent.