When steam reacts with red bot coke to form` co_2` and hydrogen :

Options

A. Water acts as oxidising agent
B. Water acts as a reducing agent
C. Carbon acts as an oxidising agent
D. There is no oxidation or reduction .

Explanation

To solve the problem of the reaction between steam and red hot coke, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Write the Reaction
When steam (water in gaseous form) reacts with red hot coke (carbon), the reaction can be represented as follows:

\[ \text{C (s)} + \text{H}_2\text{O (g)} \rightarrow \text{CO (g)} + \text{H}_2 (g) \]

### Step 2: Identify the Products
In this reaction, the products formed are carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen gas (H₂).

### Step 3: Determine the Oxidation States
Next, we need to analyze the oxidation states of the elements involved.
- Carbon (C) in coke has an oxidation state of 0.
- In carbon monoxide (CO), carbon has an oxidation state of +2.
- In water (H₂O), oxygen has an oxidation state of -2.

### Step 4: Identify the Role of Water
Since carbon is oxidized from an oxidation state of 0 to +2, we can conclude that water is acting as an oxidizing agent. An oxidizing agent is a substance that causes oxidation by accepting electrons.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Thus, the correct statement regarding the reaction is that water acts as an oxidizing agent.

### Final Answer
The correct option for the question is that water acts as an oxidizing agent.

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