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Identify the reducing agent in the following reactions:(a) 4NH3 + 5O2→ 4NO + 6H2O (b) H2O + F2→ HF + HOF (c) Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2 (d) 2H2 + O2→ 2H2O |
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Answer» Reducing agent: A reducing agent is an element that loses electrons. The reducing agent means to loose electrons; it is said to have been oxidized. The element which undergoes oxidation (gets oxidized) is called reducing agent. a) NH3 is reducing agent 4NH3 + 5O2→ 4NO + 6H2O In the given reaction, nitrogen is oxidized to NO by gaining oxygen atom. Thus, NH3 is reducing agent as it undergoes oxidation. b) F2 is reducing agent H2O + F2→ HF + HOF In the given reaction, F2 is oxidized to HOF by gaining hydrogen atom. Thus, F2 is reducing agent as it undergoes oxidation. (c) CO is reducing agent Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2 In the given reaction, CO is oxidized to CO2 by gaining oxygen atom. Thus, CO is reducing agent as it undergoes oxidation. (d) H2 is reducing agent 2H2 + O2→ 2H2O In the given reaction, 2H2 is oxidized to 2H2O by gaining oxygen atom. Thus, 2H2 is reducing agent as it undergoes oxidation. |
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