Final answer:
Higher on the table of standard reduction potentials indicates a stronger tendency for the reactant to be reduced because a higher reduction potential implies it is easier to reduce the reactant, making it a better oxidizing agent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is about understanding the relationship between the standard reduction potentials and the tendency of species to act as oxidizing or reducing agents. Referring to standard reduction potentials, higher values on the table indicate a stronger tendency for the reactant to be reduced. This is because a larger reduction potential means that it is easier to reduce the reactant, making it a better oxidizing agent. For example, among permanganate, dichromate, and titanium dioxide, permanganate has the largest reduction potential, which makes it the strongest oxidizer under those conditions. Titanium dioxide, by contrast, has the weakest oxidizing strength, as indicated by its position on the standard reduction potentials table.
When comparing half-reactions in a redox reaction, the one with the higher reduction potential will act as the oxidizing agent (be reduced), and the one with the lower potential will be the reducing agent (be oxidized). If the reduction potential is positive, the corresponding oxidation potential will be negative, and vice versa. Thus, the correct answer to the student's question is that higher on the table of standard reduction potentials means a stronger tendency for the reactant to be reduced (Option a).