Question

In view of their low ionization energies, the alkali metals are :

• A. weak oxidizing agents
• B. strong reducing agents
• C. strong oxidizing agents
• D. weak reducing agents

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

strong reducing agents

Alkali metals have valence electron configuration of $n{s}^1$. The alkali metals have low value of ionization energy which decreases down the group and so can easily lose their valence electron and thus act as good reducing agents.
The reducing character increases from sodium to caesium. However lithium is the strongest reducing agent.