Question

How do you identify reducing agents, oxidizing agents or whether neither of these two apply?

Answer 1

By using the concept of the oxidation state, we can determine whether the given species acts as oxidizing agent or the reducing agent. The oxidation state of the species increases which loses the electrons and the species which gains the electron, their oxidation state decreases. Now with the help of this you can easily answer the statement.

Complete answer:
First of let’s discuss the redox reaction. Redox reaction is the reaction in which one species undergoes reduction at the cost of the other species which is oxidized.
Now coming next to the oxidation and reduction. Oxidation reaction is that reaction in which the species loses the electrons and in oxidation, the oxidation state of the species increases from 0 to +1,+2 and so on.
On the other hand, reduction reaction is that reaction in which the species gains the electrons and in reduction, the oxidation state of the species decreases from 0 to -1,-2 and so on.
Now considering the statement;
The species which undergo oxidation act as the reducing agents and thus, have high oxidation state whereas on the other hand, the species which undergo reduction act as the oxidizing agents and have low oxidation state.
So, thus from the oxidation states of the species we can identify whether the given species act as oxidizing agent or the reducing agent.
And if the species has the same oxidation state even after the chemical reaction, then it means that the species neither act as an oxidizing agent nor as the reducing agent.
Thus, through the oxidation state we can identify the reducing agents, oxidizing agents or whether neither of these two apply.

Note:
Always remember that in a chemical reaction, one species is oxidized and the other is reduced at the cost of the first species and don’t get confused in oxidizing and reducing agents. The one which is oxidized acts as a reducing agent and the other which is reduced act as oxidizing agent.