Answer
An oxidizing agent is a substance that causes the oxidation of another substance. An oxidizing agent is the reactant that gains electrons and that is reduced. A reducing agent is a substance that causes that causes the reduction of another substance. A reducing agent is the reactant that loses electrons and that is oxidized.
Work Step by Step
To keep these terms straight, remember that each substance will be named for the effect it has on the other. It will experience the opposite process through this. Oxidizing agent oxidizes the other but is reduced. Reducing agent reduces the other but is oxidized.
