Which of the following statements about oxidizing agents is true?

Which of the following statements about oxidizing agents is true?

• A. They lose electrons during a redox reaction
• B. They gain electrons and cause oxidation
• C. They are always solid at room temperature
• D. They can never be used in electrochemical cells

Answer: (B)

The statement that oxidizing agents gain electrons and cause oxidation is true. In redox reactions, which involve the transfer of electrons between species, an oxidizing agent is a substance that accepts electrons from another species. By gaining electrons, the oxidizing agent is reduced, while the other species that loses electrons is oxidized. This fundamental role in the electron transfer process defines an oxidizing agent. It's important to understand the nature of redox reactions: oxidation is characterized by the loss of electrons, while reduction refers to the gain of electrons. Therefore, the oxidizing agent facilitates oxidation in other substances by capturing their electrons. The other options contain concepts that do not accurately reflect the properties or roles of oxidizing agents. For instance, claiming that they lose electrons is incorrect, as it would define them as reducing agents instead. Additionally, the assertion that oxidizing agents are solid at room temperature is not universally true; they can exist in various states (solid, liquid, gas). Lastly, the notion that they can never be used in electrochemical cells is misleading since oxidizing agents play a critical role in galvanic cells and other types of electrochemical systems by participating in redox reactions.

The statement that oxidizing agents gain electrons and cause oxidation is true. In redox reactions, which involve the transfer of electrons between species, an oxidizing agent is a substance that accepts electrons from another species. By gaining electrons, the oxidizing agent is reduced, while the other species that loses electrons is oxidized. This fundamental role in the electron transfer process defines an oxidizing agent.

It's important to understand the nature of redox reactions: oxidation is characterized by the loss of electrons, while reduction refers to the gain of electrons. Therefore, the oxidizing agent facilitates oxidation in other substances by capturing their electrons.

The other options contain concepts that do not accurately reflect the properties or roles of oxidizing agents. For instance, claiming that they lose electrons is incorrect, as it would define them as reducing agents instead. Additionally, the assertion that oxidizing agents are solid at room temperature is not universally true; they can exist in various states (solid, liquid, gas). Lastly, the notion that they can never be used in electrochemical cells is misleading since oxidizing agents play a critical role in galvanic cells and other types of electrochemical systems by participating in redox reactions.