Definition of oxidizing agent in US English:
oxidizing agent
nounˈɑksəˌdaɪzɪŋ ˌeɪdʒəntˈäksəˌdīziNG ˌājənt
Chemistry A substance that tends to bring about oxidation by being reduced and gaining electrons.
Example sentencesExamples
- The oxidizing agent causes the oxidation of an atom by receiving an electron from that atom and is itself reduced.
- When an oxidizing agent removes electrons from a molecule, the chemical structure of the molecule is changed, and the physical properties (like color) are altered.
- Species that cause oxidation are called oxidants or oxidizing agents.
- Bacteria act as oxidizing agents, releasing electrons to an anode immersed in the wastewater.
- The hypochlorite ion is an oxidizing agent that sterilizes water by ridding it of microorganisms.