The standard reduction potentials of three metals cations X, Y and Z are + 0.52, – 3.03 and – 1.18 V respectively. Arrange X, Y and Z in order of increasing reducing power

Answer

To solve the problem of arranging the metals X, Y, and Z in order of increasing reducing power based on their standard reduction potentials, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Concept of Reduction Potential**:
- The standard reduction potential (E°) indicates the tendency of a species to gain electrons (undergo reduction). A higher E° value means a greater tendency to be reduced.

2. **Understand the Concept of Reducing Power**:
- Reducing power refers to the ability of a species to reduce other substances, which means it loses electrons (undergoes oxidation). Therefore, reducing power is inversely related to reduction potential.

3. **Identify the Given Reduction Potentials**:
- For the metals:
- Metal X: E° = +0.52 V
- Metal Y: E° = -3.03 V
- Metal Z: E° = -1.18 V

4. **Determine the Reducing Power**:
- Since reducing power is inversely proportional to the reduction potential, we can deduce:
- Higher (less negative or more positive) reduction potential means lower reducing power.
- Lower (more negative) reduction potential means higher reducing power.

5. **Rank the Metals Based on Their Reduction Potentials**:
- Metal X has the highest reduction potential (+0.52 V), so it has the lowest reducing power.
- Metal Z has a reduction potential of -1.18 V, which is less negative than Y, indicating it has a higher reducing power than X but lower than Y.
- Metal Y has the lowest reduction potential (-3.03 V), indicating it has the highest reducing power.

6. **Final Arrangement**:
- Therefore, the order of increasing reducing power is:
- X < Z < Y

### Conclusion:
The final arrangement of metals in order of increasing reducing power is:
- **X < Z < Y**