Oxidizing agent facts for kids

Dangerous goods label for oxidising agents

Oxidizing agent can have two meanings.

It can be a chemical that releases oxygen atoms. For example, potassium chlorate has a chemical formula of KClO₃. When it oxidizes a reducing agent, such as powdered aluminum metal, it loses its oxygen to the aluminum and becomes potassium chloride, KCl.

Another definition is a chemical that accepts electrons from a reducing agent. For example, potassium permanganate has an oxidation state of +7. In acid solution, it gains 5 electrons (e^-), becoming a manganese compound with an oxidation state of +2. Most oxidizing agents of the second (electron-accepting) definition have oxygen, but not all. For example, fluorine (F₂), the most powerful oxidizing agent, does not have any oxygen in it. When it acts as an oxidizing agent, it gains an electron to transfer from an oxidation state of 0 to an oxidation state of -1.

Examples

• Fluorine
• Chlorine
• Potassium nitrate
• Nitric acid
• Potassium chlorate

Related pages

• Oxidation
• Reduction
• Reducing agent

See also

In Spanish: Oxidante para niños