Which substance is the oxidizing agent in the following reaction? Fe2S3 + 12HNO3 → 2Fe (NO3) 3 + 3S + 6NO2 + 6H2O Which substance is the oxidizing agent in the following reaction? Fe2S3 + 12HNO3 2Fe (NO3) 3 + 3S + 6NO2 + 6H2O Fe2S3 Fe (NO3) 3 H2O HNO3 NO2 Request Answer Provide Feedback

HNO3 is the oxidizing agent

Explanation:

Step 1:

The oxidizing agent is responsible to oxidize another. but itself undergoes a reduction.

Fe2S3:

Fe has an oxidation number of + 3

S has an oxidation number of - 2

HNO3:

O has an oxidation number of - 2 (we have 3 times O so this makes - 6)

H has an oxidation number of + 1

N has an oxidation number of + 5

Fe (NO3) 3

O has an oxidation number of - 2 (we have 3 times O so this makes - 6)

Fe has an oxidation number of + 3

Since NO3 has an oxidation number of - 1; N has an oxidation number of + 5

S alone has an oxidation number of 0

NO2:

O has an oxidation number of - 2 (we have 2 times O, this makes - 4)

N has an oxidation number of + 4

Fe doesn't change from oxidation number. It stays + 3

N goes from + 5 to + 4 → this is a reduction

S goes from - 2 to 0 → this is an oxidation

The reducing agent is the compound that contributes the oxidized species (S).

The oxidizing agent contributes the reducing species (N)

The answer is HNO3