Question

Which of these can be used to extract a metal from its oxide?

• A. More reactive metal
• B. Carbon
• C. Oxidizing agent
• D. Reducing agent

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (D)

The correct options are
A More reactive metal
B Carbon
D Reducing agent

A metal can be extracted from its oxide by using reducing agents like carbon or an extremely reactive metal. The reducing agent gets oxidised, leaving the metal.
For example:
$\bullet$ Zinc is extracted from its oxide ore using coke as a reducing agent. The reaction invovled is:

$\text{ZnO(s)}+\text{C(s)}\to \text{Zn(s)}+\text{CO(g)}$

$\bullet$ Iron is extracted from its oxide ore by reacting it with a more reactive metal like aluminium. The reaction involved is:

${\text{Fe}}_2{\text{O}}_3\text{(s)}+2\text{Al(s)}\to {\text{Al}}_2{\text{O}}_3\text{(s)}+2\text{Fe(s)}$