Question

The nature of zinc powder and Cobalt (II )oxide is heated the following reaction occurs ;

Zn(s)+CoO(s) => ZnO(s)+Co(s)

1)which metal is high in the reactivity series
2)the zink can be described as a reducing agent. using this Example explain what is the mean by the term ' reducing agent '

plz help!!!​

Answer 1

1) The metal which reduces the other compound is the one higher in the reactivity. So in this case it is
`\mathrm{Zn}`.

2) The substance which brings about reduction while itself getting oxidised (that is losing electrons) is called a reducing agent. Here, $\mathrm{Zn}$ is the reducing agent and reduces Cobalt Oxide to Cobalt while itself getting oxidised to Zinc oxide.