Identify the oxidising agent (oxidant) in the following reactions:
(a) Pb3O4 + 8HCl → 3PbCl2 + Cl2 + 4H2O
(b) 2Mg + O2→ 2MgO
(c) CuSO4 + Zn → Cu + ZnSO4
(d) V2O5 + 5Ca → 2V + 5CaO
(e) 3Fe + 4H2O → Fe3O4 + 4H2
(f) CuO + H2→ Cu + H2O
Oxidizing agent: An oxidizing agent is an element that gains electrons. Since, the oxidizing agent means to gain electrons; it is said to have been reduced.
The element which undergoes reduction (gets reduced) is called oxidizing agent.
(a) Pb3O4 is reducing agent
Pb3O4 + 8HCl → 3PbCl2 + Cl2 + 4H2O
In the given reaction, Pb3O4 loses oxygen and reduces to PbCl2.
Thus, Pb3O4 is an oxidizing agent as it undergoes reduction.
(b) O2 is oxidizing agent
2Mg + O2→ 2MgO
In the given reaction, O2 is reduced by losing oxygen atoms. Thus, O2 is an oxidizing agent as it undergoes reduction.
(c) CuSO4 is oxidizing agent
CuSO4 + Zn → Cu + ZnSO4
In the given reaction, CuSO4 is reduced to Cu by losing oxygen atoms. Thus, CuSO4 is an oxidizing agent as it undergoes reduction.
(d) V2O5 is oxidizing agent
V2O5 + 5Ca → 2V + 5CaO
In the given reaction, V2O5 is reduced to V by losing oxygen atoms. Thus, V2O5 is an oxidizing agent as it undergoes reduction.
(e) H2O is oxidizing agent
3Fe + 4H2O → Fe3O4 + 4H2
In the given reaction, H2O is reduced to H2 by losing oxygen atoms. Thus, H2O is an oxidizing agent as it undergoes reduction.
(f) CuO is oxidizing agent
CuO + H2→ Cu + H2O
In the given reaction, Cu is reduced to Cu by losing oxygen atom. Thus, CuO is an oxidizing agent as it undergoes reduction.