Answer: Option (C) is the correct answer.
Explanation:
An element or substance whose oxidation state increases in a chemical reaction is known as reducing agent as the element itself gets oxidized.
On the other hand, an element or substance whose oxidation state decreases in a chemical reaction is known as an oxidizing agent as the element itself gets reduced.
For example, [tex]Cl_{2}(aq) + 2Br(aq) \rightarrow 2Cl^{-}(aq) + Br_{2}(aq)[/tex]
Oxidation-half reaction : 2Br^{-}(aq) \rightarrow Br_{2} + 1e^{-}[/tex]
Reduction-half reaction : [tex]Cl_{2}(aq) + 1e^{-} \righatrrow 2Cl^{-}(aq)[/tex]
Hence, we can conclude that in this reaction [tex]Br^{-}[/tex] is the reducing agent.
