Question

Which of the following has the highest oxidation potential?
(a)- Na
(b)- Ag
(c)- Al
(d)- Zn

Answer 1

Oxidation potential is the amount of energy change in an atom or ion when there is an elimination of electrons. So, the easier the removal of the electron, the higher will be the oxidation potential of the atom or ion, and extraction of an electron depends on the electronic configuration of the atom or ion.

Complete step by step solution:
The oxidation potential is a type of energy change in the atom or ion. It occurs when an electron is removed from the atom or ion. It is measured in volts and it is denoted with ${{E}^{\circ }}$.
If the atom or ion, can lose electron easily then the value of oxidation potential will be high and if the atom or ion, cannot lose easily then the value of oxidation potential will be low that means it will have more tendency to accept electron so, it is called reduction potential.
So, the easier the removal of the electron, the higher will be the oxidation potential of the atom or ion, and extraction of an electron depends on the electronic configuration of the atom or ion. The electronic configuration of sodium, silver, aluminium, and zinc are given below:
$Na=1{{s}^{2}}2{{s}^{2}}2{{p}^{6}}3{{s}^{1}}$
$Ag=1{{s}^{2}}2{{s}^{2}}2{{p}^{6}}3{{s}^{2}}3{{p}^{6}}4{{s}^{2}}3{{d}^{10}}4{{p}^{6}}5{{s}^{2}}4{{d}^{9}}$
$Al=1{{s}^{2}}2{{s}^{2}}2{{p}^{6}}3{{s}^{2}}3{{p}^{1}}$
$Zn=1{{s}^{2}}2{{s}^{2}}2{{p}^{6}}3{{s}^{2}}3{{p}^{6}}4{{s}^{2}}3{{d}^{10}}$
From the configuration, we see that the sodium has only one electron in its valence shell, i.e., n = 3, which will be easily removed to form a sodium ion and completes its octet.

Therefore, the correct answer is an option (a)- Na.

Note: The elements present on the left side of the periodic table like alkali metals, etc have high oxidation potential while the element on the right side of the periodic table will have high reduction potential.