Question

Which metal is the most powerful reducing agent in aqueous solution?

• A. Potassium
• B. Sodium
• C. Barium
• D. Lithium

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The correct answer is Potassium. Among the given options, potassium is the most powerful reducing agent in aqueous solution due to its high reactivity. As a Group 1 alkali metal, potassium readily loses its outermost electron to form K⁺, thereby reducing other species. In general, alkali metals become stronger reducing agents as you move down the group, with potassium being more reactive than sodium, lithium, or barium in aqueous solutions.

Answer 2

The correct answer is Potassium. Among the given options, potassium is the most powerful reducing agent in aqueous solution due to its high reactivity. As a Group 1 alkali metal, potassium readily loses its outermost electron to form K⁺, making it an excellent reducing agent.

In general, alkali metals exhibit progressively stronger reducing properties as you move down the group. This trend is because the outermost electron becomes more loosely held as the atomic size increases, making it easier for the metal to donate the electron. Therefore, potassium, with its larger atomic radius and lower ionization energy compared to sodium and lithium, is more reactive and a stronger reducing agent in aqueous solutions.

Furthermore, compared to other metals like sodium, lithium, or barium, potassium has the greatest tendency to lose its electron and reduce other species, demonstrating its superior ability to act as a reducing agent in aqueous environments.