Displacement reactions involving metal oxides
2 marks · HardState what is meant by the term 'reducing agent' in a redox reaction, and give an example from a reaction involving metal oxides.
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A reducing agent is a substance that reduces another by giving electrons (or by removing oxygen) and itself is oxidised. For example, in the reaction Mg + CuO → MgO + Cu, Mg is the reducing agent.
Also accept: A reducing agent removes oxygen from, or donates electrons to, another substance and is itself oxidised. E.g., in Mg + CuO, Mg is the reducing agent.
Common mistakes: Giving oxidising agent instead.; Vague answer: 'something that reduces'.
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Marking points
B1 · 1 mark · Defines reducing agent as a substance that reduces another and is itself oxidised (removes oxygen or donates electrons).
B2 · 1 mark · Gives appropriate example from a metal oxide displacement: e.g., in Mg + CuO, Mg is the reducing agent.
Worked solution
A reducing agent is a substance that reduces another substance by removing oxygen (or by donating electrons) and is itself oxidised.
For example, in the reaction Mg + CuO → MgO + Cu, Mg is the reducing agent: it removes oxygen from CuO, becoming MgO itself.