Out of C and CO, which is a better reducing agent at 673K?

Explanation

The `triangle_(f)G^(ɵ)` of `CO_2` from CO is always higher than that of `triangle_(f)G^(ɵ)` of ZnO. Therefore, CO cannot be used for reduction of ZnO to Zn. In contrast `triangle_(f)G^(ɵ)` of CO from C is lower at temperature above 1270 K than `triangle_(f)G^(ɵ)` of ZnO. Thus, above 1270 K, ZnO can be reduced to Zn by C. In actual practive, reduction is usually carried out around 1673K so that the reduction process essentially goes to completion.Thus out of C and CO, C is a better reducing agent than CO for reduction of ZnO to Zn.