Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry · Syllabus 0620 · Chemical Reactions
Reducing Agent
What is Reducing Agent?
A substance that reduces another substance and is itself oxidised in the process. It gives electrons to the other species, or takes oxygen from it, and its own oxidation number therefore increases.
This definition is part of the Chemical Reactions chapter in Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry.
Common mistakes with Reducing Agent
- 19. “The species oxidised is the oxidising agent.” Supplement 6.4.13 Why temptingThe two phrases share a word and differ by three letters. RepairThe species oxidised gave electrons away, causing reduction elsewhere, so it is the reducing agent. An oxidising agent is itself reduced. TransferIn \(\mathrm{2Mg + O_2 \rightarrow 2MgO}\), name both agents. Magnesium reducing; oxygen oxidising.