Question

Four metals W, X, Y and Z have the following values of E_red:

E_red

W = −0.140 V 

X = −2.93 V 

Y = +0.80 V

Z = +1.50 V

Arrange them in the increasing order of reducing power.

Answer 1

Reducing the power of a metal is its tendency to lose electrons (i.e., to get oxidised). A more negative reduction potential means higher reducing power. So, the lower the E_red, the stronger the reducing agent.

Least reducing → Most reducing

Z = +1.50 V < Y = +0.80 V < W = −0.140 V < X = −2.93 V