Question

Which of the following statements is most applicable to hydrogen ?

• A. It can act as a reducing agent only
• B. It can act as an oxidising agent only
• C. It can act as both as oxidising and reducing agents
• D. It can act neither as an oxidising nor as a reducing agent

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

It can act as both as oxidising and reducing agents

Answer 2

Hydrogen can act both as oxidising and reducing agent. It acts as oxidising agent when reacts with metal and form metal hydrides which are electrovalent compounds.

2Na + H2 $\longrightarrow$  2Na+ HQ

\ Ca + H2 $\longrightarrow$ CaH2

Hydrogen also acts as reducing agent when its reacts with oxides

PbO + H2 $\longrightarrow$ Pb + H2O

CuO + H2 $\longrightarrow$ Cu + H2O

Fe3O4 + H2 $\longrightarrow$ 3Fe + 4H2O