Which best describes the oxidizing agent in this reaction? Cl sub 2 times A q plus 2 Br raised to the negative A q power rightarrow 2 Cl raised to the negative A q power plus Br sub 2 times A q

Chlorine in Cl₂ has an oxidation state of 0, and it becomes Cl⁻ with an oxidation state of −1. Each chlorine atom gains an electron, so Cl₂ is reduced and acts as the oxidizing agent. Therefore, the correct choice is “Chlorine Cl is the oxidizing agent because it gains an electron.”

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