Identify the oxidising agent in the given chemical reaction.2Fe2O3 (s)+3C (s)→4Fe (s)+3CO2(g)

In the given chemical reaction, 2Fe2O3 (s) + 3C (s) → 4Fe (s) + 3CO2 (g), the oxidising agent is the substance that is reduced by gaining electrons.

Step 1: Identify the oxidation states of the elements in the reaction.

• In Fe2O3, the oxidation state of Fe is +3 and of O is -2.
• In C, the oxidation state is 0 as it is in its elemental form.
• In Fe, the oxidation state is 0 as it is in its elemental form.
• In CO2, the oxidation state of C is +4 and of O is -2.

Step 2: Determine which substance is reduced and which is oxidised.

• Fe2O3 is reduced to Fe, as the oxidation state of Fe decreases from +3 to 0.
• C is oxidised to CO2, as the oxidation state of C increases from 0 to +4.

Step 3: Identify the oxidising agent.

• The oxidising agent is the substance that is reduced in a chemical reaction. Therefore, in this reaction, Fe2O3 is the oxidising agent.