AIIMS 2002 Chemistry Oxidizing and Reducing Agents Assertion Reason Question

The assertion states that stannous chloride (SnCl2) gives a grey precipitate with mercuric chloride (HgCl2), which is true. The grey precipitate is due to the formation of metallic mercury (Hg) when SnCl2 reduces HgCl2. However, the reason claims that stannous chloride is a powerful oxidizing agent that oxidizes mercuric chloride to metallic mercury, which is incorrect. In reality, SnCl2 acts as a reducing agent, not an oxidizing agent, as it donates electrons to HgCl2, reducing it to Hg. Therefore, the assertion is true, but the reason is false, making the correct answer C. Other options are incorrect because: A) both statements cannot be true; B) the reason is not a correct explanation; D) both cannot be false since the assertion is true.