tbr3 no. 18

[breakfastburito]

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which of the following is the strongest reducing agent?


I understand the concept of reducing agent being the most easily oxidized however, i thought the answer would be Mg 2+ because the oxidation potential is 2.37....I dont understand why Zn is the answer when the oxidation potential is .76. isnt 2.37 > 0.76? thank you

 

[docntrainin]

I was wondering this too... I'm not sure but I think because it said Mg2+ and not Mg(s), it wasn't the right answer. What if it had said Mg(s), would this have made the difference?

 

[drmonk3y]

In general in a reduction potential (if given in order of increasing potentials) chart the element on the top far right is always the strongest reducing agent and the element on the bottom left is the strongest oxidizing agent. And in this case of the choices available Zn was the strongest. And like docntrainin said if one of the answers was Mg, it would have been the strongest.