The metal oxide which cannot be reduced to metal by carbon is
- Al2O3
- PbO
- ZnO
- Fe2O3
Answer
(1) Al2O3
Solution
As per NCERT, aluminium is highly electropositive and its oxide is very stable; in the Ellingham diagram the f G line of Al2O3 lies far below that of CO in the usual temperature range, so carbon cannot reduce Al2O3.
Aluminium is extracted by electrolytic reduction of alumina (Hall-Heroult process), while PbO, ZnO and Fe2O3 are reduced by carbon / CO.
Answer: (1)