Question

\[ZnO+C\xrightarrow{{}}Zn+CO\]
In the above reaction, Carbon acts as a/an:
A. Oxidising agent
B. Reducing agent
C. Dehydrating agent
D. Hydrating agent

Answer 1

Hint: An oxidizing agent is a chemical that removes electrons from other chemicals during a redox reaction.It gets reduced itself. Ex: Hydrogen peroxide, ozone, and oxygen etc.
A reducing agent is a chemical that donates electrons to other chemicals during a redox reaction. It gets oxidized itself.
Ex: alkali and alkaline earth metals and formic acid etc.
Complete step by step solution:
The given reaction is,
\[ZnO+C\xrightarrow{{}}Zn+CO\]
In the above reaction zinc oxide (\[ZnO\]) reacts with carbon (\[C\]) and forms zinc (\[Zn\]) and carbon monoxide (\[CO\]) as the products.
Zinc oxide (\[ZnO\]) loses oxygen and acts as an oxidising agent. Zinc gains electrons in the given reaction.
Carbon (\[C\]) gains oxygen and acts as a reducing agent. Carbon itself loses electrons in the given reaction.
Means in the given reaction both oxidation and reduction reactions are taking place.
Therefore the given reaction is an example for redox reaction.
From the above statement, carbon in the given reaction acts as a reducing agent.

So, the correct option is B.

Note: Don’t be confused between oxidizing agent and reducing agent. Both are not the same. An oxidizing agent oxidises other chemicals by reducing itself and a reducing agent reduces other chemicals and oxidizes itself.
An example for oxidising agents is potassium dichromate in presence of an acid and an example for reducing agent is lithium aluminium hydride.