00:02
Hi there.
00:03
In this question, we are trying to identify the reducing agent.
00:08
So the reducing agent is the substance that causes something else to be reduced.
00:16
In other words, the reducing agent is itself oxidized.
00:22
So the substance that is oxidized is the reducing agent because it reduces the other substance.
00:28
And an oxidation means loss of electrons.
00:34
And by losing those electrons, it gives them to the other substance, and therefore the other substance is reduced.
00:42
Okay, so we are looking for the substance that's oxidized, or in other words, lost electrons, because that will be our reducing agent.
00:50
Okay, so to determine this, let's go ahead and assign oxidation numbers.
00:54
One of the rules for oxidation numbers says any uncombined element, neutral element, has an oxidation number of zero.
01:03
So the solid iron and the solid tin, both have oxidation numbers of zero.
01:08
For ions, the rule is that the oxidation number is the same as the ion charge.
01:14
So 10 will have a plus two oxidation number.
01:17
Iron will have a plus two oxidation number.
01:20
Okay, so let's look what happened here...