What species is reduced in the reaction below? Zn° + 2 Ag+ → Zn2+ + 2 Agº?
A) Znº
B) Agº
C) Zn2+
D) Ag+

The correct option is D)

Explanation:

The oxidation reaction is defined as the reaction in which a chemical species loses electrons in a chemical reaction. It occurs when oxidation number of a species increases.

A reduction reaction is defined as the reaction in which a chemical species gains electrons in a chemical reaction. It occurs when oxidation number of a species decreases.

For the given chemical reaction:

On the reactant side:

Oxidation number of Zn = 0

Oxidation number of Ag = +1

On the product side:

Oxidation number of Zn = +2

Oxidation number of Ag = 0

As the oxidation number of Ag is decreasing from +1 to 0. Thus, is getting reduced.

Hence, the correct option is D)

since the atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus, as we move to the left on the periodic table, the electrostatic pull between the nucleus and the valence electron shell decreases. as we move down a group (vertical column), the valence shell energy level gets further and further from the nucleus.