Ncert Exercises & Solutions

The temperature at which carbon reduce FeO to Fe and produce CO is:

1. Lower than 400 ^oC

2. 400 ^oC

3. Higher than 600 ^oC

4. Higher than 400 ^oC

HINT: Carbon can reduce FeO to Fe and produce CO at temperature higher than 400^oC

Explanation:

Any metal will reduce oxide of other metals which lie above it in the Ellingham diagram because free energy change will become more negative.

In the figure shown above point A :

∆_{f}

G °_{(C, CO)}

<

∆_{f}

G_{(Fe,)}

FeO

Therefore, above point A, C reduces FeO to Fe forming carbon monoxide. Hence, reduction of FeO by carbon occurs above point A only.