Oxidizing Agent Encyclopedia Article

Oxidizing Agent

The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.

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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

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Oxidizing Agent

Any substance that donates oxygen or that gains electrons in a chemical reaction. Perhaps the most common example of an oxidizing agent is the element oxygen itself. When a substance burns, rusts, or decays, that substance combines with oxygen in the air around it. Oxidizing agents can have both beneficial and harmful environmental effects. Chlorine gas is used as an oxidizing agent to kill bacteria in the purification of water. Ozone damages plant and animal cells by oxidizing them.