Chapter 19, Problem 44QRT

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Oxidizing agent and reducing agent in the reaction ${\text{SnO}}_{\text{2}}\text{(s)}\text{+}\text{2C(s)}\stackrel{}{\to }\text{2CO(g)}\text{+}\text{Sn(s)}$ has to be identified.

Concept Introduction:

Oxidizing agent is the one that gets reduced during a chemical reaction and reducing agent is the one that gets oxidized in a chemical reaction.  In terms of electron transfer oxidizing agent is the one that donates electrons and reducing agent is the one that accepts electrons.  In terms of oxidation number, the oxidizing agent is the one where the element gains electrons results in decrease of oxidation number and reducing agent is the one where the element loses electrons results in increase of oxidation number.