Question

${H_2}{O_2} + {O_3} \to {H_2}O + 2{O_2}$ in this reaction ${H_2}{O_2}$ acts as:
$A)$ Oxidising agent
$B)$ Reducing agent
$C)$ Dehydrating agent
$D)$ Bleaching agent

Answer 1

The chemical compound hydrogen peroxide has the formula ${H_2}{O_2}$ . It's a very pale blue liquid that's much more viscous than water in its purest nature.

Complete answer:
${H_2}{O_2} + {O_3} \to {H_2}O + 2{O_2}$
$A)$ Oxidising agent: this option is not right, since ozone is a better oxidising agent than hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide cannot oxidise it. An oxidising agent (also known as an oxidizer or oxidant) is a chemical substance that appears to oxidise other molecules, causing them to lose electrons and thus increase their oxidation state. Therefore, in this reaction hydrogen peroxide does not act as an oxidising agent.
$B)$ Reducing agent: this option is correct, since ozone is a much better oxidising agent. Hydrogen peroxide is used as a reducing agent as seen in the reaction. In a redox chemical reaction, a reducing agent (also known as a reductant or reducer) is an atom or compound that loses (or "donates") an electron to an electron receiver (oxidising agent). If a reducing agent loses electrons in a redox reaction, it is oxidised.
$C)$ Dehydrating agent: this option is not right, since a dehydrating agent is a chemical that dries or extracts water from a substance. Here, hydrogen peroxide does not remove water.
$D)$ Bleaching agent: this option is not right since bleaching agents are substances that lighten or whiten a substrate by solubilizing or modifying the light-absorbing properties of color-producing compounds. Here, hydrogen peroxide does not bleach any substance.
Therefore, the correct option is $B)$ reducing agent.

Note:
Hydrogen peroxide is a gentle antiseptic that can be applied to superficial wounds, scrapes, and burns to avoid infection. It's a bleaching agent, an oxidizer, and an antiseptic.