Answer:
The oxidation state of sodium is +1 and chlorine is -1.
Explanation:
Oxidation:
Oxidation involve the removal of electrons and oxidation state of atom of an element is increased.
Reduction:
Reduction involve the gain of electron and oxidation number is decreased.
Consider the following reactions.
2Na + Cl₂ → 2NaCl
The oxidation state of chlorine and sodium on left side is 0. After the reaction between them oxidation state is changed. Sodium is oxidized and chlorine is reduced. The oxidation sate of sodium is +1 while that of chlorine is -1. Sodium is reducing agent while chlorine is oxidizing agent.
Oxidizing agents:
Oxidizing agents oxidize the other elements and itself gets reduced.
Reducing agents:
Reducing agents reduced the other element are it self gets oxidized.
