Oxidising and reducing agents Flashcards
1
Q
What is a reducing agent?
A
- is usually a metal or a negative ion
- loses (donates) electrons to another element or ion (reducing the other species)
- is itself oxidised
2
Q
Where are reducing agents on the databook table?
A
Top right of the data book. The top left is oxidising reactions.
3
Q
What is an oxidising agent?
A
- is normally a non-metal or positive ion
- cause oxidation reactions to take place
- gains electrons from other atoms or ions (is itself reduced)
4
Q
What are the strongest oxidising agents?
A
The strongest oxidising agents are highly electronegative elements like the halogens (Group 7).
5
Q
What are the strongest reducing agents?
A
the strongest reducing agents are in group 1.
