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Question: The oxidising agent for the following reaction is? \(C{H_4} + 2{O_2} \to C{O_2} + 2{H_2}O\)...

The oxidising agent for the following reaction is?
CH4+2O2→CO2+2H2OC{H_4} + 2{O_2} \to C{O_2} + 2{H_2}O

Explanation

Solution

When compounds react with,some undergo oxidation and some undergo reduction.There also exist some species which will aid in this process.The ones which help in reduction are known as reducing agents whereas the ones which help in oxidation are known as oxidising agents.The type of role which they assume depends on their reactivity and electronegativity.

Complete answer:
Compounds tend to react with each other under suitable conditions.
When they interact with each other,the chemical bonding of the reactants get altered.New bonds are formed and consequently new compounds are formed in the end of the reaction.During these chemical reactions give and take of electrons also take place.Some species will gain electrons while some will lose electrons.
Before decoding chemical reactions we need to understand some terminologies.
Reduction-The gain of electrons is known as Reduction.
Oxidation- The loss of electrons is known as Oxidation.
Reducing agent-The chemical species which help in reduction but undergo oxidation themselves are known as Reducing agents.
Oxidizing agents- The chemical species which help in oxidation but undergo reduction themselves are known as Reducing agents.
Let us understand the above given equation.
CH4+2O2→CO2+2H2OC{H_4} + 2{O_2} \to C{O_2} + 2{H_2}O
Methane+Oxygen→CarbonDioxide+WaterMethane + Oxygen \to CarbonDioxide + Water
In the above reaction methane reacts with oxygen to give out carbon dioxide and water.
Or in other words Oxygen oxidises Methane to form Carbon dioxide,and itself gets reduced to water.The reaction can be simplified as follows.
Oxidation.
CH4→CO2C{H_4} \to C{O_2}
Reduction.
O2→H2O{O_2} \to {H_2}O
Hence oxygen is acting as the oxidising agent.

Note:
When compounds react with each other,the nature of the products formed tends to be completely different from those of the reactants.In any chemical reaction oxidising and reducing agents tend to play a very important role. Non-metals tend to behave like oxidising agents and metals tend to behave like reducing agents.