Question

The reducing agent used in the thermite process is.
A. Carbon.
B. Aluminium.
C. Iron.
D. Sodium.

Answer 1

Hint: We know that the thermite process is a process in which metallic oxides are reduced by using aluminum powder. If the mixture of aluminum and the oxide is heated, aluminum gets oxidized while the metal oxide gets reduced.

Complete step by step answer: Let us see an example of a thermite reaction.
Iron thermite reaction:
A reaction in which iron oxide and aluminum are used as reactants to produce molten iron is called a thermite process. The products of the reaction are aluminum oxide, iron, and release a huge amount of energy hence it is an exothermic reaction.
The chemical reaction is given by,
$F{e_2}{O_3} + 2Al\xrightarrow{{}}A{l_2}{O_3} + 2Fe$
So, the correct answer is “Option B”.
Copper thermite reaction:
Likewise, the copper thermite reaction is a reaction in which copper oxide and aluminum is used for creating electric joints in a cad welding which give elemental copper.
The chemical reaction is given by,
$3CuO + 2Al\xrightarrow{{}}3Cu + A{l_2}{O_3}$

Additional Information:
We must know that the thermite is a pyrotechnic composition of powdered metal and metal oxide on heating; they undergo an exothermic reduction-oxidation reaction. Most of the thermite is not explosive but they tend to create minor explosions at high temperatures in a small area.

Note: We know that the carbon oxidizes itself to form carbon dioxide so it is not used as a reducing agent. We can use the various components of fuels including Zinc, magnesium, titanium, silicon, and boron instead of carbon in the thermite process. Due to the high point nature of aluminum which is used as common reducing agents in thermite reaction and available at cheaper cost.