Question

On which side of the energy potential equations will oxidizing agent atoms be?

A) Left
B) Right
C) Both sides equally
D) Neither side

Answer 1

Oxidizing agents are typically found on the left side of the potential energy equation as reactants, before they undergo reduction and appear as products on the right side after the reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction, the oxidizing agent, which gains electrons, will be reduced, and typically, oxidizing agents appear on the left side of the potential energy equation as reactants. During the course of the reaction, the oxidizing agents will be transformed, becoming products that appear on the right side after the reaction occurs.

For example, in an unbalanced redox equation such as:

Cl2 + 2Na– → 2Cl– + 2Na+

Here, Cl2 is the oxidizing agent and it appears on the left side of the equation (answer option A). Once the reaction is complete, Cl2, in its reduced form as Cl–, appears on the right side. This demonstrates that oxidizing agents start as reactants on the left side of the equation but are transformed into products on the right side after the reaction.