Answer: Reducing agent, its oxygen going from -1 to 0.
- A Oxidising agent, its oxygen going -1 to -2
- B Reducing agent, its oxygen going from -1 to 0
- C Catalyst that stays chemically unchanged
- D Simple dehydrating agent in this medium
Correct answer: B. Reducing agent, its oxygen going from -1 to 0
Explanation: Here H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> reduces MnO<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup> to Mn<sup>2+</sup>; its own oxygen is oxidised from -1 to 0 (O<sub>2</sub>), so it acts as a reducing agent.
Each water molecule's O-H bonds (covalent, solid) can hydrogen-bond (dashed) to neighbouring molecules, forming an extended network responsible for water's unusually high boiling point and density anomaly.
Concept context
The simplest and most abundant element in the universe. Study its unique position in the periodic table, isotopes (protium, deuterium, tritium), properties of water and hydrogen peroxide, and industrial uses.