Question

Hydrochloric acid reacts as a reducing agent because ______.

Options

• it oxidises strong reducing agents

• it oxidises strong oxidising agents

• it can be oxidised to chlorine by strong oxidising agent

• it can be reduced to chlorine by strong reducing agent.

Answer 1

Hydrochloric acid reacts as a reducing agent because it can be oxidised to chlorine by strong oxidising agent.

Explanation:

Hydrochloric acid functions as a reducing agent because its chloride ions (Cl⁻) readily donate electrons (undergo oxidation) to become elemental chlorine gas (Cl₂) when treated with strong oxidizing agents.