An oxidation reaction is a reaction the takes an electron from one substance. A reduction reaction is a reaction that gives an electron to a substance. A redox reaction is a reaction in which one substance gives up an electron and another substance takes that electron. I know it is strange that 'oxidation' means 'giving up' and 'reduction' means 'taking in,' but remember that an electron is negatively charged, so everything is kind of backward. To give up an electron means to become more positively charged. To take in an electron means becoming more negatively charged.
An oxidizing agent is a substance that causes oxidation in another substance. Common oxidizing agents include oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and halogens. A reducing agent is a substance that causes another substance to reduce. So to identify an oxidizing agent, simply look at the oxidation number of an atom before and after the reaction. If the oxidation number is greater in the product, then it lost electrons and the substance was oxidized. If the oxidation number is less, then it gained electrons and was reduced. The substance that is reduced in a reaction is the oxidizing agent because it gains electrons. The substance that is oxidized in a reaction is the reducing agent because it lost electrons.
| Name | Oxidation Number | Change in Electrons |
|---|---|---|
| Oxidation | increases | electrons are lost |
| Reduction | decreases | electrons are gained |
| Oxidizing agent | decreases | electrons are gained |
| Reducing agent | increases | electrons are lost |
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