Question

The reducing agent in thermite process is:
A. \[Al\]
B. \[Mg\]
C. $Fe$
D. $Si$

Answer 1

Hint: Let us initially know about what Thermite process is : A thermite reaction is basically in which iron oxide or rust and aluminium is used as substrates or reactants and it produces molten iron. The products are aluminium oxide with an elemental iron as by product and a huge amount of heat, being an exothermic reaction.
\[F{e_2}{O_3} + 2Al \to A{l_2}{O_3} + 2Fe\]

Complete step by step solution:
The reactants or substrates are usually a thermite mixture which is Aluminium powder combined with iron oxide/rust powder. When the mixture is heated, the reaction proceeds and as Aluminium is more reactive than iron then the aluminium forms stronger and stable bonds with oxygen than iron, thus giving us Aluminium oxides as one of the products.
It has several uses : The reaction is used for thermite welding, often used to join railway tracks/path, Thermites are also being used in metal refining, demolition of ammunitions, and in incendiary weapons, Mixtures similar to that of thermites are used in fireworks.
A thermite reaction is used to purify the ores of some metals called a thermite process, in which the aluminium is used as a catalyst.
So, the correct answer is Option A.
Additional Information: Thermite is a pyro-technic composition of metal powder and metal oxide. When ignited by heat, they tend to undergo an exothermic reduction-oxidation reaction. Most varieties of thermites are not explosive in nature, but have a tendency to create minor explosions of heat at high temperature in a small area.

Note: Aluminium here is chosen as a suitable catalyst and a common part of the thermite mixture because of the high boiling point and the low cost of aluminium. And in the Thermite process other than the Iron oxide, Copper oxide can be used as well.