Hearing aid batteries utilize a zinc/air electrochemical cell. The reduction half-reactions and standard reduction potentials for this cell are given below. What is the reducing agent in the cell reaction?
Zn(OH) ₂(s) + 2e^- $\rarr$ Zn(s) + 2OH^-(aq)
-1.249 V
O₂(g) + 2H₂O(l) + 4e^- $\rarr$ 4OH^-(aq)
+0.401 V

Question

Hearing aid batteries utilize a zinc/air electrochemical cell. The reduction half-reactions and standard reduction potentials for this cell are given below. What is the reducing agent in the cell reaction?
Zn(OH) ₂(s) + 2e^-

\rarr

Zn(s) + 2OH^-(aq)
-1.249 V
O₂(g) + 2H₂O(l) + 4e^-

\rarr

4OH^-(aq)
+0.401 V

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Zinc is the reducing agent because it is the species that is oxidized (loses electrons) in the reaction.

Hearing Aid Batteries Utilize a Zinc/air Electrochemical Cell →\rarr→ Zn(s) + 2OH-(aq) -1

Hearing Aid Batteries Utilize a Zinc/air Electrochemical Cell $\rarr$ Zn(s) + 2OH^-(aq)
-1