Hydrogen acts as a

Options

A. reducing agent
B. oxidising agent
C. Both reducing and oxidising agent
D. Neither reducing nor oxidising agent

Explanation

To determine how hydrogen acts in terms of its chemical behavior, we can analyze its properties and reactions step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Hydrogen's Electron Configuration**:
- Hydrogen has one electron in its outer shell (1s orbital). To achieve a stable electron configuration similar to that of noble gases, it can either lose this electron or gain one more.

**Hint**: Recall that elements tend to achieve a stable configuration by either losing or gaining electrons.

2. **Hydrogen as a Reducing Agent**:
- When hydrogen donates its single electron, it forms a positive ion (H⁺). In this role, hydrogen acts as a reducing agent because it reduces other substances by donating electrons.

**Hint**: Remember that reducing agents donate electrons and cause the reduction of other substances.

3. **Hydrogen as an Oxidizing Agent**:
- Conversely, when hydrogen accepts an electron, it forms a hydride ion (H⁻). In this case, hydrogen acts as an oxidizing agent because it can accept electrons from other substances, thereby oxidizing them.

**Hint**: Oxidizing agents accept electrons and cause the oxidation of other substances.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Since hydrogen can both donate and accept electrons, it can act as both a reducing agent and an oxidizing agent. Therefore, the correct answer is that hydrogen acts as both.

**Hint**: Consider the dual nature of hydrogen's behavior in chemical reactions to arrive at the conclusion.

### Final Answer:
Hydrogen acts as both a reducing agent and an oxidizing agent.