Hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂, is a versatile chemical. Its uses include bleaching wood pulp and fabrics and substituting for chlorine in water purification. One reason for its versatility is that it can be either an oxidizing or a reducing agent. For the following reactions, identify whether hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing or reducing agent.

(a) H₂O₂(aq) + 2 Fe²⁺(aq) + 2 H⁺(aq) → 2 H₂O(l) + 2 Fe³⁺(aq)

(b) 5 H₂O₂(aq) + 2 MnO₄^-(aq) + 6 H⁺(aq) → 8 H₂O(l) + 2 Mn²⁺(aq) + 5 O₂(g)