Question

Carbon can reduce ferric oxide to iron at a temperature above 983 K because:

• A. carbon monoxide formed is thermodynamically less stable than ferric oxide
• B. carbon has a higher affinity towards oxidation than iron
• C. free energy change for the formation of carbon dioxide is less negative than that for ferric oxide
• D. iron has a higher affinity towards oxygen than carbon

Answer 1

The correct option is B carbon has a higher affinity towards oxidation than iron

Above 983 K, free energy change for the formation of $C{O}_2$ is more negative than that for ferric oxide. Thus, above this temperature, carbon has a higher affinity towards oxidation than iron.