Question

\[4Al+3{{O}_{2}}\to 2A{{l}_{2}}{{O}_{3}}\]
In the above equation, find the oxidizing agent.
A. \[Al\]
B. \[{{O}_{2}}\]
C. \[A{{l}_{2}}{{O}_{3}}\]
D. Both A and C

Answer 1

Hint: An oxidizing agent which often referred as an oxidizer or an oxidant is defined as a chemical species which tends to oxidize other substances in general we can say that cause an increase in the oxidation state of the substance by losing the electrons.

Complete Solution :
In some other words we can say that oxidizing agents can be defined in two manners:
- As an electron acceptor: These are generally chemical substances whose atoms remove at least one electron from another atom in a chemical reaction and oxidizing agents are those reactants which undergo reduction in redox reactions.
- As an atom transferring substance: In this case oxidizing substance is that substance in chemical reaction which transfers at least one electronegative atom to a chemical species. Oxidizing agents normally exist in their highest possible oxidation states.
In the given reaction
\[4Al+3{{O}_{2}}\to 2A{{l}_{2}}{{O}_{3}}\]

- Oxygen oxidizes aluminum to aluminum oxide so here we can consider that aluminum acts as a reducing agent because it undergoes oxidation and we know that which undergo through the process of oxidation is known to be reducing agent while oxygen acts as an oxidizing agent because it undergoes through the process of reduction.
So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Note: Oxidizing agents have many industrial and chemical applications. It is generally used as a bleaching agent, in the purification of water, storage of energy in batteries, vulcanization of rubbers and useful in combustion of fuels.