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ICSE Class 10 Chemistry Question 31 of 64

Metallurgy — Question 31

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Question 2(2015)

Give scientific reasons for: Zinc oxide can be reduced to zinc by using carbon monoxide, but aluminium oxide cannot be reduced by a reducing agent.

Answer

Metals like Zinc are less electropositive and have less affinity for oxygen, hence their oxides like ZnO can be reduced by reducing agents like CO. Metal like Aluminium on the other hand are most electropositive and have strong affinity for oxygen. Hence, their oxides like aluminium oxide cannot be reduced by a reducing agent.