Zaymiey

🧪 Chemistry  ·  Redox Reactions  ·  NEET & JEE

Which of the following is a common oxidising agent?

Answer: KMnO 4 (potassium permanganate).

  • A H<sub>2</sub> gas under typical conditions
  • B C (carbon) according to standard textbooks
  • C KMnO<sub>4</sub> (potassium permanganate)
  • D Na (sodium metal) in general practice

Correct answer: C. KMnO<sub>4</sub> (potassium permanganate)

Explanation: KMnO₄ contains Mn in the +7 oxidation state; it readily accepts electrons (Mn goes from +7 to +2 or +4), making it a strong oxidising agent.

Electron Transfer: Zn + Cu²⁺ → Zn²⁺ + CuZnloses 2e⁻OXIDISED (Zn → Zn²⁺)2e⁻Cu²⁺gains 2e⁻REDUCED (Cu²⁺ → Cu)Zn = reducing agentCu²⁺ = oxidising agent

Electron transfer in a redox reaction: zinc loses electrons (oxidised, acts as reducing agent) and copper(II) ions gain those same electrons (reduced, acts as oxidising agent).

Concept context

Master electron transfer in chemistry: assign oxidation states, balance half-reactions, identify oxidising and reducing agents, and connect redox to everyday reactions.

Read the full Redox Reactions notes →