Question

Consider the following reactions at ${10000}^{\circ }C$.
$\left(a\right)Zn\left(s\right)+\frac{1}{2}{O}_2\left(g\right)\to ZnO\left(s\right);\Delta G^{\circ }=-360kJ/mol\left(b\right)C\left(s\right)+\frac{1}{2}{O}_2\left(g\right)\to CO\left(s\right);\Delta G^{\circ }=-460kJ/mol$
Then choose the correct statement from the following.

• A. Zinc can be oxidised by $CO$
• B. $ZnO$ can be reduced by $C$
• C. $ZnO$ can be reduced by $CO$
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B $ZnO$ can be reduced by $C$

$\Delta G^o$ of the formation of $CO$ is more negative than that of $ZnO$ at ${10000}^{\circ }C$.
Hence, $C$ will reduce $ZnO$ to $Zn$ and $C$ itself gets oxidised to $CO$.