what is meant by reducing character and oxidising character? what is oxidising agent and reducing agent?

The tendency of any substance to reduce other substance is called its reducing character similarly the tendency of any substance to oxidize other substance is called its oxidizing character .

Oxidation is defined as a process that involves a gain of oxygen or a loss of hydrogen. When a substance gains oxygen or loses hydrogen during a reaction, it is oxidized.

Reduction is defined as a process that involves a gain of hydrogen or a loss of oxygen. When a substance loses oxygen or gains hydrogen during a reaction, it is reduced.

The substances that are reduced (provide oxygen or remove hydrogen) in course of the reaction are called oxidizing agents. These substances oxidize other chemicals in the reaction and are reduced in the process. On the other hand, the substances that are oxidized (remove oxygen or provide hydrogen) are called reducing agents.

In the above reaction, CO₂ is the oxidizing agent as it gives oxygen to H₂ and hydrogen is the reducing agent as it removes oxygen from CO₂.