Question

Which of the following is the reducing agent in $\text{ZnO (l) +C (s)}⟶\text{Zn (s) +CO (g)}$

• A. Zn
• B. O
• C. C
• D. CO

Answer 1

The correct option is C C

A reducing agent or reductant is a substance which supplies hydrogen or any other electropositive element or removes oxygen or any other electronegative element. Alternatively, a reducing agent is that substance which itself undergoes oxidation in a chemical reaction.

Here, $\text{ZnO}$ is reduced to metallic $\text{Zn}$ and $\text{C}$ is oxidised to $\text{CO}$. Thus, $\text{C}$ is the reducing agent here.