What are common oxidising agents in chemical reactions?

Common oxidising agents in chemical reactions include oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, and potassium permanganate.

Oxygen is perhaps the most common oxidising agent, as it is abundant in the atmosphere and readily reacts with many other elements. It is involved in combustion reactions, such as the burning of fuels, where it oxidises the fuel to produce carbon dioxide and water. Oxygen can also oxidise metals, leading to corrosion or rusting.

Hydrogen peroxide is another common oxidising agent. It is often used in laboratories due to its strong oxidising properties. In reactions, hydrogen peroxide can donate oxygen atoms to other substances, causing them to be oxidised. This is often used in bleaching processes, as well as in certain types of chemical synthesis.

Nitric acid is a strong oxidising agent that is commonly used in the production of fertilisers and explosives. It can donate oxygen atoms to other substances, causing them to be oxidised. This is often used in the production of nitrate salts, which are important in agriculture and industry.

Potassium permanganate is a powerful oxidising agent that is often used in analytical chemistry. It has a distinctive purple colour, which disappears when it is reduced, making it useful for titration experiments. In these experiments, the amount of potassium permanganate used can be used to calculate the amount of a substance in a sample.

In summary, common oxidising agents include oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, and potassium permanganate. These substances are able to donate oxygen atoms to other substances, causing them to be oxidised. This is a key process in many chemical reactions, and understanding it is crucial for understanding chemistry as a whole.