Question

In the following half equation, which is the oxidizing agent?

NO3–(aq) + 4H+(aq) + 3e– <--> NO(g) + 2H2O
a. NO3–
b. H+
c. e–
d. NO
e. H2O

An oxidizing agent is a chemical compound that readily transfers oxygen atoms, or is a substance that gains electrons in a redox chemical reaction. In both cases, the oxidizing agent becomes reduced in the process.

NO3- transfers oxygen atoms to make water molecules, so NO3- is possibley the oxidizing agent.

H+ gains electrons to make water molecules.

Help I am torn between NO3- and H+ as the oxidizing agent. I leaning toward NO3-.......is this one correct?

Answer 1

In the following half equation, which is the oxidizing agent?

NO3–(aq) + 4H+(aq) + 3e– <--> NO(g) + 2H2O
a. NO3–
b. H+
c. e–
d. NO
e. H2O

An oxidizing agent is a chemical compound that readily transfers oxygen atoms, or is a substance that gains electrons in a redox chemical reaction. In both cases, the oxidizing agent becomes reduced in the process.

NO3- transfers oxygen atoms to make water molecules, so NO3- is possibly the oxidizing agent.

H+ gains electrons to make water molecules.

Help I am torn between NO3- and H+ as the oxidizing agent. I am leaning toward NO3-.......is this one correct?

Answer 2

Oxidation is the loss of electrons.
Reduction is the gain of electrons.
The substance oxidized is the reducing agent.
The substance reduced is the oxidizing agent.

Just pick one, for example, the first one, and that's all you need to know the others follow.