In the equation given above, the oxidizing agent is FeO. An oxidizing agent in a chemical reaction is defined as that substance, which has the capacity to oxidize other substances by gaining electrons from them. In a chemical reaction, an oxidizing agent is usually reduced by gaining electrons. In the chemical equation given above, iron ll oxide oxidizes carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.
Redox reactions are types of reactions that involve both oxidation and reduction occurring simultaneously. In these reactions one of the reactant undergoes oxidation while another undergoes reduction.
<h3>Oxidation </h3>
Oxidation involves the loss of electrons by an element. When an element or an ion undergoes oxidation, it looses electrons.
For example; in the above reaction carbon monoxide undergoes oxidation.
C²⁺ → C⁴⁺ + 2e
<h3>Reduction </h3>
Reduction refers to the gain of electrons by an element. Therefore, when an element or an ion undergoes reduction it gains electrons.
For example; in the above reaction iron (ii) oxide undergoes reduction.
Fe²⁺ + 2e → Fe
<h3>Oxidizing agent</h3>
An oxidizing agent in a chemical reaction is defined as that substance, which has the capacity to oxidize other substances by gaining electrons from them. In a chemical reaction, an oxidizing agent is usually reduced by gaining electrons.
In the chemical equation given above, iron ll oxide oxidizes carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.
<h3>Reducing agent </h3>
A reducing agent in a chemical reaction is defined as that substance, which has the capacity to reduce other substances by losing electrons from them.
In a chemical reaction, a reducing agent is usually oxidized by loosing electrons.
In the chemical equation given above, carbon monoxide reduces iron (ii) oxide to iron metal.
A dependent valuable is a valuable whose variation depend on another variable usually the independent variable. An independent variable is a variable whose variation do not depend on another variable but the reseacher experimenting.