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Reducing Agents and Oxidizing Agents
- Consider our hydrogen–oxygen fuel-cell reaction.
- Hydrogen is oxidized, making it the reducing agent.
- Substances such as hydrogen, which have a strong tendency to give up electrons, are good reducing agents—they tend to cause the reduction of other substances.
- Oxygen is reduced, making it the oxidizing agent.
- Substances such as oxygen, which have a strong tendency to attract electrons, are good oxidizing agents—they tend to cause the oxidation of other substances.