Chapter 20, Problem 33A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The process that is happening to the oxidizing agent during a redox reaction is to be determined.

Concept introduction: The chemical reaction that involves the oxidation and reduction process is referred to as the redox reaction. The reaction that involves the gain of electrons is reduction while that involves the loss of electrons is oxidation.

Answer to Problem 33A

The oxidizing agents are undergoing the chemical process of reduction by the reducing agents in a redox reaction.

Explanation of Solution

The chemical species that undergo oxidation are identified as the reducing agents and that undergo reduction is identified as the oxidizing agents.

During a redox reaction, the reaction is taking place between a reducing agent and oxidizing agent. The reducing agents are found to be oxidized by the oxidizing agent while the oxidizing agents are found to be reduced by the reducing agent.

For example in the following reaction reduction is happening to $C{u}^{2+}$ in $CuO$ by the acceptance of 2 electrons. So, $CuO$ is the oxidizing agent.

  $CuO+H_2\to Cu+H_{2}O$

So, the oxidizing agents are undergoing reduction by the reducing agents in a redox reaction.