Correct Question: what is the oxidizing agent in the reaction.
2MnO4–(aq) +10Cl–(aq) + 16H+(aq) --------> 5Cl2(g) + 2Mn2+(aq) +8H2O(l)
Answer: MnO4-is the oxidizing agent
Explanation:
In the reaction 2MnO4–(aq) +10Cl–(aq) + 16H+(aq) --------> 5Cl2(g) + 2Mn2+(aq) +8H2O(l)
Oxidizing agent oxidizes other molecules while the themselves get reduced.
oxidizing agents give away Oxygen to other compounds.
MnO4-is the oxidizing agent because
On the reactants side
Oxidation number of Mn in 2MnO4- is +7
Oxidation number of Cl- is -1
On the products side
Oxidation number of Mn is +2
While oxidation number of Cl is zero
Therefore the oxidizing agent is 2MnO4 because is oxidizes Chlorine from -1 to 0 while itself got reduced from oxidation state of +7 to +2
