Question

What is meant by reducing agents?

Answer 1

1. Reducing agents are the agents which lose their electrons to other substances and themselves get oxidized.
2. If the reducing agent does not pass its electrons to the other substance then the reduction will not occur.
3. The s block elements are known as good reducing agents as they easily lose their electrons.
4. The reducing agent itself gets oxidized and reduces the other substance by losing its electrons to it.
5. If the substance is capable of losing its electrons very easily then it is known as a strong reducing agent.
6. Examples of reducing agents are Sodium $\left(\mathrm{Na}\right)$, Iron $\left(\mathrm{Fe}\right)$, Zinc $\left(\mathrm{Zn}\right)$, Aluminium $\left(\mathrm{Al}\right)$etc.
7. Also if any substance is the strongest reducing agent then it will also be a weaker oxidizing agent or vice versa.