Question

What does the reducing agent do in a redox reaction? (A.P.E.X)

Answer 1

The reducing agent in a redox reaction causes reduction by losing electrons and gets oxidized.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reducing agent in a redox reaction is the substance that causes reduction by losing electrons. It is the species that is oxidized in the reaction. The reducing agent donates electrons to another species, which gets reduced. For example, in the reaction:

Zn + CuSO4 -> ZnSO4 + Cu

Zinc (Zn) is the reducing agent because it loses electrons and gets oxidized to Zn2+. Copper sulfate (CuSO4) is the oxidizing agent because it gains electrons and gets reduced to Cu.

Answer 2

The reducing agent donates electron to the oxidizing agent and gets oxidized itself

Step-by-step explanation:

In an oxidation-reduction reaction, also known as REDOX reaction, one of the reactants is called OXIDIZING AGENT while the other is called REDUCING AGENT. The reducing agent is called so because it reduces another substance in the reaction.

It reduces another atom/ion by donating electrons to that atom, hence, getting oxidized itself in the process. For example, in the following reaction:

H2 + F2 → 2HF

Fluorine is getting oxidized from -2 to 0 by donating electrons to H and reducing it from +2 to 0.