Oxidizing vs Reducing Agent

[Kassidy Tran 1E]

How can you tell when an element is an oxidizing or reducing agent? For example, in the balanced redox equation:
4OH- + 2Cr3+ + 3MnO2 —> 2(CrO4)2- + 2H2O + 3Mn2+

[Shubham Rai 2C]

In this reaction, the element Cr is oxidized while Mn is reduced. Thus, Cr3+ will be the reducing agent and MnO2 will be the oxidizing agent.

[ariana_apopei1K]

the oxidizing agent will be in the reduction half rxn, and the reducing agent will be in the oxidation half rxn

[Cody Do 2F]

If you get confused, it helps to think about it like this: Much like a hiring agent at any firm is in charge of hiring other individuals, an oxidizing agent is in charge of oxidizing other elements and a reducing agent is in charge of reducing other elements. In order to oxidize other elements, the oxidizing agent must itself be reduced. Likewise, in order to reduce other elements, the reducing agent must itself be oxidized.