According to Ellingham diagram the oxidation reaction of carbon and carbon monoxide may be used to reduce which one of the following oxides at the lowest temperature?

Options

A. `Al_2O_3`
B. `Cu_(2)O`
C. `MgO`
D. `ZnO`

Answer

B

Explanation

In the graph of `Delta_(r)G^(@)` Us T for formation of oxides, the `Cu_2O`line is almost at the top. So, it is quite easy to reduce oxide ores of copper directly to the metal by heating with coke (both the lines of , C CO and C, `CO_2` are at much lower temperature (500–600K)).
`Cu_(2)O + C rarr 2Cu + CO.`