Reduction Chemistry Example 2

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Example 2

medium
In a blast furnace, iron ore is reduced: Fe2O3+3CO→2Fe+3CO2\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 + 3\text{CO} \rightarrow 2\text{Fe} + 3\text{CO}_2. Identify the reducing agent.

Solution

  1. 1
    Fe goes from +3+3 (in Fe2O3\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3) to 00 (Fe metal) — iron is reduced.
  2. 2
    C goes from +2+2 (in CO) to +4+4 (in CO2\text{CO}_2) — carbon is oxidized.
  3. 3
    The reducing agent is the substance that is oxidized: CO is the reducing agent.

Answer

CO is the reducing agent\text{CO is the reducing agent}
The reducing agent donates electrons to reduce another species. In metallurgy, carbon monoxide is commonly used to extract metals from their oxide ores.

About Reduction

The gain of electrons by an atom, ion, or molecule during a chemical reaction, resulting in a decrease in its oxidation state.

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More Reduction Examples

Example 1 easy

In the reaction [formula], identify which species is reduced.

Example 3 easy

In the reaction [formula], is copper being oxidized or reduced?

Example 4 medium

In the reaction [formula], which substance is reduced?

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