Question

Sort the following chemicals for their ability to act as an oxidizer. List from strongest to weakest; 1 being strongest, 6 being weakest. 1. 1st K 2. 2nd Ag 3. 3rd Au 4. 4th Cu 5. 5th Ni 6. 6th Ca

Answer 1

Answer : If we list the given chemicals according to their increasing oxidising ability then the order will be like this; 1 being the strongest and 6 being the weakest 
1. K > 2. Ca >3. Ni> 4. Cu> 5. Ag> 6.Au

Explanation : Considering the reduction potential of each chemical species it will be easy to identify their oxidising capacity and differentiate accordingly;

More negative the value of reduction potential more is the ability of the chemical species to get oxidised.

Chemicals with their reduction potential is given below.

K has -2.92; Ca has -2.76; Ni has -0.23; Cu has 0.52; Ag has 1.50 and Au has 1.50.

Answer 2

Explanation:

A oxidizing agent or oxidizer is a substance that loses electrons and itself gets reduced.

Also, a substance or element that has more positive value of $E^{o}_{cell}$ or reduction potential will act as a strong oxidizer because it will easily get reduced.

Therefore, standard reduction potential of the given elements is as follows.

K = -2.92

Ag = 1.83

Au = 0.80

Cu = 0.16

Ni = -0.23

Ca = -2.76

Hence, Ag has the highest positive value and calcium has the lowest. Thus, list from strongest to weakest oxidizer are as follows.

                       Ag > Au > Cu > Ni > Ca > K