Question
The extraction of metal from its ore is a reduction process, explain.
Answer
The extraction of metals from their ores involves reduction processes. In a reduction process, a reducing agent is used to remove the oxygen from the metal oxide, which results in the formation of pure metal.
For Example:
The extraction of zinc from its ore involves a reduction process because the metal ions in zinc oxide (ZnO) are reduced to elemental zinc (Zn). This reduction process involves the use of carbon as a reducing agent, which reacts with the oxygen in the zinc oxide to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and elemental zinc (Zn):
ZnO + C → Zn + CO2
