Question

Zinc oxide is reduced to zinc metal by heating with:
A.Carbon
B.Oxygen
C. $CuS{O_4}$
D.Water

Answer 1

The metals like iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), etc. are found in the form of carbonate or sulphide ores. These metals which are in the middle of the reactivity series are extracted using carbon as carbon (C) is more reactive than chromium oxide $(C{r_2}{O_3})$, it has more affinity towards oxygen.

Complete step by step answer:
Reduction of an oxide by a substance depends on reducing the ability of the substance.
The metals like Iron, zinc, lead, etc. are found in the form of carbonate or sulphide ores. These metals which are in the middle of the reactivity series are extracted using carbon (C). Zinc oxide is reduced to zinc metal by heating it with Carbon (C) which is a reducing agent.
$ZnO + C \to Zn + CO$
Because carbon (coke) is the best substance preferred for reducing it as a common reducing agent and its efficiency for oxygen is much more than $C{r_2}{O_3}$.
Hence, zinc oxide can be reduced to metal, Zinc by heating it with carbon.

Therefore, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Because of the position of Carbon (coke) in the reactivity series of the metals, zinc can be extracted using Carbon (coke) in a high temperature smelting furnace, which is a sort of displacement reaction. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an inorganic compound which is used in a number of manufacturing processes and It can be found in rubbers, plastics, ceramics, glass, cement, lubricants, paints, ointments, adhesives, sealants, pigments, foods, batteries, ferrites, fire retardants, and first-aid tapes. It occurs naturally as the mineral zincite, but most zinc oxide is produced synthetically. It is also used to treat a variety of other skin conditions, and in products like baby powder and barrier creams to treat diaper rashes etc. on a large scale.