In the aluminothermite process, aluminium is

Options

A. An oxidising agent
B. A flux
C. A reducing agent
D. A solder

Answer

C

Explanation

A mixture of concentrated oxide ore and aluminium powder, commonly called hermite, is taken in a steel crucible placed in a bed of sand.
`Cr_(2)O_(3) + 2 Al rarr 2Cr + Al_(2)O_(3)`
`3Mn_(3)O_(4) + 8 Al rarr 9 Mn + 4 Al_(2)O_(3)`.
A large amount of heat energy is released during reduction, which fuses both the alumina and the metal. Aluminium acts as a reducing agent and is itself oxidised.