A metal in a compound can be displaced by another metal in the uncombi...
Concept of Reducing Agent:
A reducing agent is a substance that loses or "donates" an electron to another substance in a redox chemical reaction. Therefore, a good reducing agent is the one that gets oxidized easily, or in other words, the one that can easily lose electrons.
Characteristics of a Good Reducing Agent:
- Electron Loss: A better reducing agent is the one that loses more electrons. This is because by losing electrons, the reducing agent gets oxidized and in turn reduces the other substance. This is the basic principle of a redox reaction.
- Reactivity: The reactivity of the metal also determines its capacity as a reducing agent. Metals that are high in the reactivity series are good reducing agents. This is because they can easily lose electrons and get oxidized.
- Stability: Metals that are less stable are better reducing agents because they can easily lose electrons to attain a stable state.
Hence, Option A is the correct answer - a better reducing agent is the one that loses more electrons.
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A metal in a compound can be displaced by another metal in the uncombi...
Explanation:
When a metal in a compound is displaced by another metal in the uncombined state, a redox reaction takes place. In this reaction, the metal in the compound gets reduced by gaining electrons, while the metal in the uncombined state gets oxidized by losing electrons.
To determine which metal is a better reducing agent in such a case, we need to look at their electron affinity. The better reducing agent is the one that loses more electrons because it has a lower electron affinity, which means that it is more willing to give up its electrons.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Summary:
- The better reducing agent is the one that loses more electrons.
- This is because it has a lower electron affinity and is more willing to give up its electrons.
- Therefore, option A is the correct answer.