In the alumino-thermite process, Al acts as :

Options

A. an oxidising agent
B. a flux
C. solder
D. a reducing agent

Answer

To solve the question regarding the role of aluminum in the alumino-thermite process, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Alumino-Thermite Process**:
The alumino-thermite process is a chemical reaction where aluminum is used to reduce metal oxides to their corresponding metals. This process is highly exothermic and is often used in welding and metal extraction.

**Hint**: Recall that in reduction reactions, a substance loses oxygen or gains electrons.

2. **Identifying the Role of Aluminum**:
In the reaction, aluminum donates electrons to the metal oxide (e.g., manganese oxide). This means that aluminum is being oxidized while the metal oxide is being reduced.

**Hint**: Think about the definitions of oxidizing and reducing agents. A reducing agent is oxidized in the process.

3. **Chemical Reaction Example**:
For example, when manganese oxide (MnO) reacts with aluminum (Al), the reaction can be represented as:
\[ 3 \text{MnO} + 4 \text{Al} \rightarrow 4 \text{Al}_2\text{O}_3 + 3 \text{Mn} \]
Here, aluminum reduces manganese oxide to manganese while itself being oxidized to aluminum oxide.

**Hint**: Look at the oxidation states of the elements before and after the reaction to determine which is oxidized and which is reduced.

4. **Conclusion**:
Since aluminum is losing electrons (being oxidized) and facilitating the reduction of manganese oxide, it acts as a reducing agent in the alumino-thermite process.

**Hint**: Remember that in redox reactions, the substance that gets oxidized is the reducing agent.

### Final Answer:
In the alumino-thermite process, aluminum acts as a **reducing agent**.