46. NCERT Exemplar XIX

 

A reducing agent (reductant) is a substance that reduces another substance (by removing oxygen or adding hydrogen) while also being oxidised.

 

$Fe_2O_3$ + $3CO$ → $2Fe$ + $3CO_2$

 

In the above reaction, carbon monoxide is oxidized to carbon dioxide by gaining an oxygen atom. Hence, ferric oxidecarbon monoxideiron oxidecarbon dioxide is a reducing agent as it undergoes redoxcombustionreductionoxidation.

 

  

An oxidising agent (oxidant) is a substance that burnedreducedmeltedoxidized another substance (by losing electrons or removing hydrogen or adding oxygen, or increasing oxidation state) while also being oxidizedmeltedburnedreduced.

 

$V_2O_5$ + $5Ca$ → $2V$ + $5CaO$

 

$V_2​O_5$​ is an oxidising agent as it oxidises $Ca$ to $CaO$.