Question

Lithium is the strongest reducing agent among alkali metals due to which of the following factors
A. Low ionization energy
B. High electron affinity
C . Low hydration energy
D. High lattice energy

Answer 1

Correct Answer - A

All Alkali metals are strong reducing agents. But what makes Li the strongest is the fact that it has highest hydration enthalpy and low ionization energy. Since in the options low ionization energy is given, it is the most suitable option.

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Answer 2

Lithium is the strongest reducing agent among the alkali metals as :-

Let me give you the actual factor which is responsible for the same and is not mentioned in the question.

Lithium has the highest(most positive) value of Standard Oxidation Potential hence making it the best reducing agent to use among the alkali metals.
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Coming to options , due to obvious reasons B) and D) namely high electron affinity and high lattice energy respectively won't be the required option. So we have two options left.

A) Low ionization energy→ Among the alkali metals Caesium has the lowest amount (positive) of ionization energy and IE is inversely proportional to metallic character and reducing nature , so this won't the required answer.

C) Low hydration energy→ Lithium has the most negative hydration energy among the alkali metals which 'algebraically' would be the lowest. So this option has the 'potential' to be the correct option.
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Conclusion: If more negative means low then correct option is C) otherwise options are not appropriate.

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