asked 68.5k views
4 votes
Reducing agent in the following reaction 4Al+ 3O2 = 2Al2O3

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer: O2 is the reducing agent

Explanation: When you are adding oxygen, you are oxidizing. So O2 is the reducing agent because Aluminum loses electrons and becomes positive in charge and O2 gains electrons and becomes negative in charge. Aluminum is oxidized and oxygen is reduced, therefore the oxygen is the reducing agent. Remember oxidation cannot occur in isolation. There is another process going on when something is oxidized and that process is reduction.

answered
User Vitalii Malyi
by
8.4k points
Welcome to Qamnty — a place to ask, share, and grow together. Join our community and get real answers from real people.