Ferric oxide blast furnace is reduced by

Options

A. C
B. CO
C. `H_(2)`
D. `CO_(2)`

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the reduction of ferric oxide (Fe2O3) in a blast furnace, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Compound**:
- Ferric oxide is represented by the chemical formula Fe2O3.

2. **Understand the Process**:
- In a blast furnace, the reduction of metal oxides typically involves the removal of oxygen from the metal oxide to obtain the pure metal.

3. **Identify the Reducing Agent**:
- The common reducing agent used in the blast furnace is carbon, which can be introduced in the form of coke.

4. **Reaction of Carbon with Oxygen**:
- Carbon reacts with oxygen to produce carbon monoxide (CO). The reaction can be represented as:
\[ 2C + O2 \rightarrow 2CO \]

5. **Reduction of Ferric Oxide**:
- The carbon monoxide produced can then reduce ferric oxide (Fe2O3) to iron (Fe). The reaction can be represented as:
\[ Fe2O3 + 3CO \rightarrow 2Fe + 3CO2 \]
- In this reaction, Fe2O3 loses oxygen (is reduced) to form iron, while carbon monoxide is oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO2).

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the reducing agent for the reduction of ferric oxide in a blast furnace is carbon monoxide (CO).

### Final Answer:
- The ferric oxide in a blast furnace is reduced by **carbon monoxide (CO)**.

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