On the basis of Ellingham's diagram explain the principle of extraction of iron from its oxide ore.

Explanation

(a) At 1073 K, `DeltaG^(@)` Vs T line for `CrarrCO` Intersects the `FerarrFeO` Line. Above 1073K, `DeltaG^(@)` of `CrarrCO` becomes less than `DeltaG^(@)` of `FerarrFeO` and hence carbon itself is oxidized to CO. Therefore, carbon becomes very good reducing agent for the reduction of FeO to Fe at the temperature range of 900K-1500K.
`FeO(s)+CrarrFedarr+CO(g)`
(b) At temperature, below 800 K, `DeltaG^(@)` for `COrarrCO_(2)` is less than. `FerarrFe_(2)O_(3)`, therefore, CO is a better reducing agent for the reduction of `Fe_(2)O_(3)` to FeO
`Fe_(2)O_(3)(s)+COrarr2FeO+CO_(2)`