Question

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

Answer 1

Zinc ion is lower in electrochemical series. Thus, carbon monoxide provides enough energy and hence reduces zinc oxide to zinc. Aluminium ion is higher in electrochemical series. The carbon monoxide does not produce enough energy and hence aluminium oxide is not reduced to aluminium.