Question

Hydrogen peroxide is______.
A. An oxidizing agent
B. A reducing agent
C. Both an oxidizing and reducing agent
D. Neither oxidizing nor reducing agent

Answer 1

Hint: Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound and its formula is\[{H_2}{O_2}\]. When it is present in its pure form, it is pale blue liquid and slightly viscous in nature.

Complete step by step answer:
Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide and it is also called dioxidane or peroxaan. Its odor is slightly sharp and it is colorless in solution. It is non- inflammable and it is weakly acidic when used with a stabilizer.
     
Hydrogen peroxide and water form a eutectic mixture.
\[2{H_2}{O_2} \to 2{H_2}O + {O_2}\]
From the hydrogen peroxide we heat water and oxygen. In an acidic solution, \[{H_2}{O_2}\]is a powerful oxidizer, stronger than chlorine.
Oxidizing agent is defined as the acceptor of electrons. It is a chemical compound that transfers oxygen atoms or a substance that gains electrons in a redox reaction. An oxidizing agent is a reactant in the chemical reaction which helps in oxidation and reduces itself and gaining electro from the other reactants.
Example of oxidizing agents:
Hydrogen peroxide, ozone, oxygen, etc.
Oxidizing agents are also known as oxidants and oxidizers.
Reducing agent is defined as the donor of an electron. It gets oxidized when it loses electrons in the redox reaction. Reduction refers to the removal of oxygen from the compound.
Example of a reducing agent is iron.
Let’s take an equation in which we understand oxidizing agent and reducing agent:
\[{C_6}{H_{12}}{O_6} + 6{O_2} \to 6C{o_2} + 6{H_2}O\]
Reducing agent: \[{C_6}{H_{12}}{O_6}\]
Oxidizing agent:\[{O_2}\]
Now, hydrogen peroxide acts as both an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent.
\[2{H_2}{O_2} \to 2{H_2}O + {O_2}\]
In the above reaction, \[{H_2}{O_2}\] act as an oxidizing agent by itself getting reduced to \[{H_2}O\] as well as reducing agent by oxidized\[{O_2}\].

Hence, option(c) is the correct answer.

Note:
Oxidizing agent is donor of electrons and Reducing agent is acceptor of electron.