Question
GeneralGeneralGeneral

what is a reducing agent?

Verified Answer

A reducing agent is a substance that causes another substance to be reduced by donating electrons to it. During this process, the reducing agent itself gets oxidized.

Key Points:

  • Donates electrons to another substance.

  • Causes reduction in another substance.

  • Undergoes oxidation itself.

Example:
In the reaction:

CuO + H₂ → Cu + H₂O

Hydrogen (H₂) acts as the reducing agent because it removes oxygen from copper oxide (CuO) and reduces it to copper (Cu).

Common Reducing Agents:

  • Hydrogen (H₂)

  • Carbon (C)

  • Carbon monoxide (CO)

In simple terms: A reducing agent helps another substance gain electrons or lose oxygen, while it itself gets oxidized.