Oxidizing Agents

Part of the Oxidation and Reduction section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 7 of 27.

An oxidizing agent oxidizes another substance by taking its electrons, so the oxidizing agent is reduced.

Cl₂ + 2Br⁻ → 2Cl⁻ + Br₂: chlorine takes electrons from bromide. Cl₂ is the oxidizing agent.

A colorless potassium bromide solution, and the same solution turned orange after chlorine is bubbled through it

Chlorine turns bromide into orange bromine

Strong oxidizing agents: O₂, Cl₂, MnO₄⁻, H₂O₂. Each is reduced as it works.

Challenge

Chlorine gas is bubbled through a colorless solution of bromide ions, and the solution turns orange as bromine forms. Choose the oxidizing agent.

Try it yourself

Oxidation numbersFollow the electrons

Cl₂Br⁻Cl⁻Br₂

Test yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Oxidation and Reduction

1Electron Transfer

4Metals and Reactivity

2Redox Reactions

5Electrochemistry

3Half-Equations

6Practice Problems