Final answer:
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is the oxidizing agent among the given choices, as it is capable of accepting electrons in chemical reactions and is commonly used as a household disinfectant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked which of the following is an oxidizing agent: A) phosphorus B) hydrogen peroxide C) zirconium D) hydrogen. An oxidizing agent is a substance that gains electrons in a chemical reaction and is thereby reduced. From the given choices, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is widely known to be an effective oxidizing agent. It is commonly used as a household disinfectant because it is inexpensive and decomposes into water and oxygen, making it environmentally friendly. Additionally, having a variety of industrial and personal care applications, hydrogen peroxide can act in oxidation-reduction reactions by accepting electrons from other substances, thereby oxidizing them.