Question

In the thermite process, ____ is used as a reducing agent.

1. Carbon
2. Aluminium
3. Iron
4. Sodium

Answer 1

In the thermite process aluminium is used as a reducing agent.

A mixture of concentrated oxide ore and aluminium powder, commonly called as thermite, is taken in a steel crucible placed in a bed of sand.

$C{r}_2{O}_3+2Al\to 2Cr+A{l}_2{O}_3$

$3M{n}_3{O}_4+8Al\to 9Mn+4A{l}_2{O}_3$

A large amount of heat energy is released during reduction, which fuses both the alumina and the metal. Aluminium acts as a reducing agent and is itself oxidized.