Question

Identify A and B in the given reaction:
$2{\text{Al}}_2{\text{O}}_3\text{(s)}+3\text{C(s)}\to \text{4A + 3B}$.

• A. Al, CO
• B. CO, Al
• C. Al, $C{O}_2$
• D. $C{O}_2,Al$

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Al, $C{O}_2$

Alumina reacts with carbon or coke to give aluminium and carbon dioxide.

$2{\text{Al}}_2{\text{O}}_3\text{(s)}+\text{3C(s)}\to \text{4Al (s)}+{\text{3CO}}_2\text{(g)}$

This is not used to extract aluminium as the (very high) temperature makes the process economically unviable. Also, at such elevated temperature (2000 ${}^{0}C$), aluminium could react with coke (carbon) to form aluminum carbide.