Among Fe, Cu, Al and Pb, which metal(s) cannot be obtained by smelting ?

Answer

To determine which metal(s) among Fe, Cu, Al, and Pb cannot be obtained by smelting, we will analyze the smelting process and the properties of each metal.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Smelting**:
- Smelting is a metallurgical process that involves extracting metal from its ore by using a reducing agent, typically carbon (in the form of coke, charcoal, or coal). The reducing agent helps to separate the metal from its oxide or other compounds.

2. **Identifying the Metals**:
- The metals in question are:
- Fe (Iron)
- Cu (Copper)
- Al (Aluminium)
- Pb (Lead)

3. **Analyzing Each Metal**:
- **Iron (Fe)**: Iron can be obtained through smelting, as carbon can effectively reduce iron oxide to iron.
- **Copper (Cu)**: Copper can also be obtained through smelting, as carbon can reduce copper oxide to copper.
- **Lead (Pb)**: Lead can be extracted through smelting as well, as carbon can reduce lead oxide to lead.
- **Aluminium (Al)**: Aluminium cannot be obtained by smelting using carbon because aluminium is a more powerful reducing agent than carbon. This means that aluminium has a stronger affinity for oxygen and cannot be reduced by carbon.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Among the metals listed, aluminium (Al) cannot be obtained by smelting due to its strong electropositive nature and its ability to act as a reducing agent itself.

### Final Answer:
- The metal that cannot be obtained by smelting is **Aluminium (Al)**.

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