Question

Given the standard electrode potentials,

K⁺/K = −2.93 V, Ag⁺/Ag = 0.80 V,

Hg²⁺/Hg = 0.79 V

Mg²⁺/Mg = −2.37 V, Cr³⁺/Cr = −0.74 V

Arrange these metals in their increasing order of reducing power.

Answer 1

The higher the oxidation potential, the more easily it is oxidised, and hence, the greater the reducing power. Thus, the increasing order of reducing power will be:

Ag < Hg < Cr < Mg < K