Oxygen is a common oxidizing agent in nature.?

Question

What changes in the oxidation number of oxygen must occur if it is to be an oxidizing agent? Explain.. thanks

Answer 1

Oxygen goes from molecular oxygen O2 to ionic oxygen O-2

So the reaction is

O2 + 4e- --> 2O-2

O2 is reduced from oxidation state 0 to oxidation state -2

Oxidizing agents are things that are easily reduced so that their corresponding analog reactions can easily get rid of electrons (be oxidized).

Answer 2

If oxygen is to be an oxidizing agent, then oxygen must gain electrons. The oxidizing agent (whatever) must gain electyrons. The reducing agent must lose electrons, become oxidized.