Final answer:
Oxidizing materials are substances that can cause other materials to combust or corrode by accepting electrons during chemical reactions. Potassium dichromate is an example of an oxidizing agent. Oxidation originally meant reaction with oxygen but now includes any electron loss increasing a substance's charge.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxidizing materials are substances that contain oxygen or another electronegative element and can cause other materials to combust, corrode, or oxidize by accepting electrons during a chemical reaction. One example of an oxidizing material is potassium dichromate, which is known for its ability to accept electrons and facilitate the oxidation of other substances. Oxidizing agents, such as fluorine, are substances capable of oxidizing others by accepting electrons, which means they get reduced in the process. Conversely, reducing agents lose electrons and get oxidized themselves.
In the context of environmental effects, materials such as rubber can be adversely affected by oxidants like ozone. This leads to the deterioration of natural rubber, indicating the potency of ozone as an oxidizing agent. Transition metals, on the other hand, can show different behaviors; some are strong reducing agents, while others like platinum and gold have low reactivity and high resistance to oxidation, making them valuable in certain applications such as electronics and jewelry.
The term 'oxidation' originally referred to reactions with oxygen, but has since been broadened to include any reaction where a substance loses electrons, consequently increasing its positive charge. This broader definition is essential for understanding the role of oxidizing agents in chemical reactions.