Which best describes the reducing agent in the reaction below? cl2(aq)+2br-(> 2cl-(aq)+br2(aq) a. bromine (br) loses an electron, so it is the reducing agent. b. bromine (br) gains an electron, so it is the reducing agent. c. chlorine (cl) loses an electron, so it is the reducing agent. d. chlorine (cl) gains an electron, so it is the reducing agent.

Hi.

First you should know the definition and role of a reducing agent. A reducing agent is a substance in a chemical reaction which causes reduction of the other substance by losing electrons.

In the given chemical reaction following changes are occuring:
a) Chlorine is gaining electrons as it is being transformed from neutral atom to negative ion.
b) Bromine is losing electrons as it is being transformed from negative ion to neutral atom

Chlorine is gaining electrons so it is being reduced. Bromine is giving or losing electrons and is reducing the chlorine atoms so Bromine is the reducing agent.

Hence option A is correct. Bromine is losing electrons, so it is the reducing agent.  

The answer is true for your question.