Question

Compare the chemical properties of metals and non-metals with reference to reducing/oxidising nature :

• A. both are reducing agent
• B. both are oxidising agent
• C. metal acts as reducing agents while non-metals acts as oxidising agents
• D. non-metal acts as reducing agents while metals acts as oxidising agents

Answer 1

The correct option is C metal acts as reducing agents while non-metals acts as oxidising agents

Metals have 1, 2 or 3 valence electron so they always ionize by losing electrons while non metals have 4, 5, 6 or 7 valence electron so they ionize by gaining electrons.
$Na-e^{-}\to N{a}^{+}$
$Cl+e^{-}\to C{l}^{-}$
So metal acts as reducing agents while non metals acts as oxidising agents.