Question

Which of the following options represents the reducing agent and the substance that gets oxidised during a thermite reaction?

Option	Substance oxidised	Reducing agent
A	Al	Fe
B	${Al}_2{O}_3$	Al
C	Al	Al
D	${Fe}_2{O}_3$	Fe

[1 mark]

• A. A
• B. B
• C. C
• D. D

Answer 1

The correct option is C C

The balanced chemical equation of a thermite reaction is:
$2Al\left(s\right)+F{e}_2{O}_3\left(s\right)\to 2Fe\left(s\right)+A{l}_2{O}_3\left(s\right)$

This reaction is an oxidation-reduction reaction which produces heat along with a stream of molten iron and aluminium oxide.
In this reaction, Al undergoes oxidation due to the addition of oxygen (${Al}_2{O}_3$).
${Fe}_2{O}_3$ is reduced since it loses oxygen.
A reducing agent undergoes oxidation to reduce the other substance in the reactants. Here, Al is oxidised while reducing ${Fe}_2{O}_3$