Question

The metal oxide which cannot be reduced to metal by carbon is _________.

• A. $ZnO$
• B. $F{e}_2{O}_3$
• C. $PbO$
• D. $A{l}_2{O}_3$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $A{l}_2{O}_3$

Reduction of the oxide with carbon at high temperature is known as smelting. The oxides of less electropositive metals like Pb, Zn, Fe, Sn, Cu etc. are reduced by strongly heating them with coal or coke, in the blast furnace.

So among the given options only $A{l}_2{O}_3$ cannot be reduced by carbon.

Hence, the correct option is $C$