Is 2Fe(s) + 3 NiCl2 (aq) —> 2 FeCl3 (aq) + 3Ni (s) a redox reaction? If so, what is the reducing agent and what is the oxidizing agent?
Yes, the given reaction is a redox reaction. In this reaction, iron (Fe) is being oxidized from an oxidation state of 0 in Fe(s) to an oxidation state of +3 in FeCl3(aq). Nickel (Ni) is being reduced from an oxidation state of +2 in NiCl2(aq) to an oxidation state of 0 in Ni(s).
The reducing agent is the species that undergoes oxidation, which in this case is iron (Fe).
The oxidizing agent is the species that undergoes reduction, which in this case is nickel chloride (NiCl2).