Reduction of Metal Oxides by Carbon
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More often than not, we encounter questions regarding the decomposition of metal oxides aided by a reducing agent, such as carbon.
The "standard" equation goes something like this
Metal oxide + carbon ---(heat)---> metal + carbon dioxide
however, i discovered that there were some reactions such as reduction of zinc oxide and lead(II) oxide which produce CO instead of CO2.
I would appreciate if someone could explain. Thanks.
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Originally posted by anpanman:
More often than not, we encounter questions regarding the decomposition of metal oxides aided by a reducing agent, such as carbon.
The "standard" equation goes something like this
Metal oxide + carbon ---(heat)---> metal + carbon dioxide
however, i discovered that there were some reactions such as reduction of zinc oxide and lead(II) oxide which produce CO instead of CO2.
I would appreciate if someone could explain. Thanks.
Zinc is a relatively (everything's relative... just ask Einstein) reactive metal, which means that it won't be that easy to grab away zinc's girlfriend ("oxygen"). Carbon can grab away oxygen from zinc, but it's harder for carbon monoxide to do so.
Carbon : "Eh gimmie ur oxygen gf, or else I call my gang whack u!"
Zinc Oxide : "Ok ok, I give u face this time... but I'll remember ur face... u be careful..."
Carbon (now in monoxide form, ie. Carbon monoxide) to Zinc (who has lost his oxygen) : "Muhahaha! Ok, now ur brudder's turn... tell your younger didi zinc oxide to give up his oxygen too!")
Zinc & his brudder Zinc Oxide : "Oi! U already got one oxygen liao, don't be too greedy hor! Don't see we all quiet quiet good to bully, think we sick kitten izzit! Knn u nvr die b4 izzit, I tell you..."
Carbon monoxide : "Ok lah! ok lah! Kao peh lah!"
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he make lesson interesting
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Originally posted by gunner77:
he make lesson interesting
that's why you should find him for chem tuition
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Originally posted by eagle:
that's why you should find him for chem tuition
i thought if he teachs like this in sch.