Question

Name the following.

A black powdery substance is used for the reduction of zinc oxide during its extraction.

Answer 1

Coke is used for the reduction of zinc oxide during its extraction.

In the extraction of Zinc;

$\mathrm{ZnO}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+\mathrm{C}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)\to \mathrm{Zn}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+\mathrm{CO}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$

Zinc oxide + Carbon → Zinc + Carbon monoxide

• Zinc oxide loses oxygen. It is reduced.
• Carbon gains oxygen. It is oxidized.
• Carbon acts as a reducing agent.
• The carbon monoxide is oxidized further to produce the less harmful carbon dioxide

Hence, the answer is a carbon (coke).