reducing and oxidizing agents

[Kassandra Molina 2B]

Why are reducing and oxidizing agents the opposites of reduction and oxidation?

[Sarah_Stay_1D]

Why are reducing and oxidizing agents the opposites of reduction and oxidation?

If something is being a oxidized it is a reducing agent because the process of it losing electrons allows/helps the other substance in the cathode to be reduced. This is true the other way around. If something is being oxidized it is an oxidizing agent because the process of it gaining electrons allows/helps the other substance in the cathode to be reduced.

[Peter Dis1G]

Think this way, two half-reactions, one reduced and the other oxidized. Reducing agents themselves are oxidized because their electrons are taken away so to facilitate the other reduced reaction.