Which of the following is a characteristic of hydrogen as a reducing agent?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following is a characteristic of hydrogen as a reducing agent?
It can only reduce metals
It can reduce metal oxides
It cannot reduce nonmetals
It is always oxidized
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following is a characteristic of hydrogen as a reducing agent?
Step 1: Understand what a reducing agent is. A reducing agent is a substance that donates electrons to another substance, causing the other substance to be reduced.
Step 2: Know that hydrogen can donate electrons. When hydrogen gas (H2) is used in a chemical reaction, it can give away electrons.
Step 3: Identify metal oxides. Metal oxides are compounds made of metal and oxygen, like iron oxide (FeO) or copper oxide (CuO).
Step 4: Learn how hydrogen interacts with metal oxides. When hydrogen gas is introduced to metal oxides, it can react with them.
Step 5: Understand the result of this reaction. The hydrogen reduces the metal oxide, meaning it removes the oxygen and leaves behind the pure metal.
Step 6: Conclude that hydrogen acts as a reducing agent because it can reduce metal oxides to their corresponding metals.
