Question

For joining railway tracks, ferric oxide is reacted with aluminium to produce aluminium oxide and iron. The balanced chemical equation for the given reaction is
$\underset{Ferricoxide}{F{e}_2{O}_{3\left(x\right)}}+\underset{Aluminium}{2A{l}_{\left(x\right)}}\to \underset{Aluminiumoxide}{A{l}_2{O}_{3\left(x\right)}}+\underset{Iron}{2F{e}_{\left(x\right)}}$
Which of the following substances is oxidized in the given reaction?

• A. $A{l}_2{O}_3$
• B. $F{e}_2{O}_3$
• C. $Al$
• D. $Fe$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

$Al$

$F{e}_2{O}_3+2Al\to A{l}_2{O}_3+2Fe$

Oxidation state of $Al$ is $0$

Oxidation state of $Al$ in $A{l}_2{O}_3\Rightarrow 2x-6=0\Rightarrow x=+3$

$\therefore Al$ goes from $0$ to $+3$ and is oxidized in the reaction.

Oxidation state of $Fe$ in $F{e}_2{O}_3\Rightarrow 2x-6=0\Rightarrow x=+3$

Oxidation state of pure $Fe=0$

$\therefore Fe$ goes from $+3$ to $0$ and is reduced in the reaction