Question

Zinc metal reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas and an aqueous solution of zinc(II) chloride. What is the reducing agent in this reaction?

Answer 1

Zinc is the reducing agent.

Step-by-step explanation:

Zn is the reducing agent because its oxidation state increases from 0 to 2 and hydrochloric acid, HCl is the oxidizing agent because it loses hydrogen ions, H+ based on the following balanced equation:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) -----> ZnCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

In oxidation, there is the loss of electrons. In reduction, there is a gain of electrons. A nemonic device that might help is LEO (the lion said) GER.

Losses

Electrons

Oxidation

Gains

Electrons

Reduction

Answer 2

Answer:

Zinc

The reducing agent in these reaction is Zinc (Zn)

Step-by-step explanation:

Zn is the reducing agent because its oxidation state increases from 0 to 2 and hydrochloric acid, HCl is the oxidizing agent because it loses hydrogen ions, H+ based on the following balanced equation:

Zn (s) + 2HCl (aq) -----> ZnCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

In oxidation, there is the loss of electrons.

In reduction, there is a gain of electrons.