Question

Identify in the following reaction (a) the substance oxidised, and (b) the substance reduced:

\[\ce{ZnO + C -> Zn + CO}\]

Answer 1

1. The substance oxidised in the reaction is Carbon (C). Carbon gains oxygen to transform into carbon monoxide. The oxidation state of carbon increases from 0 to +2 in CO.
2. The substance reduced is Zinc oxide (ZnO). Zinc oxide loses oxygen to form metallic zinc (Zn). The oxidation state of zinc decreases from +2 in ZnO to 0 in Zn.