Question

Write one point of difference between electrolytic reduction and reduction with carbon. Give one example each.

Answer 1

Hint- In order to deal with this question first we will define the terms electrolytic reduction and reduction with carbon then according to it we will find the difference between both on the basis of example and various other factors involved in both the reduction.

Complete answer:
Electrolytic reduction: Electrolysis is the process used to remove metals. Metals positioned high in the reactivity sequence are extremely electropositive and as a reducing agent, they cannot be reduced by carbon. The reduction in electrolytics is a type of electrolysis. Using this method, metal oxides, hydroxide, and chlorides in fused state are electrically reduced. The elements are extracted at the cathode.
Example: Oxide and chlorides of highly reactive metals $\left( {eg - Al,Na,Mg,Ca} \right)$ are reduced by electrolytic reduction.
Reduction with carbon: Reduction is a process in which there is an increase in the number of covalent bonds between an atom and atom(s) that are less electronegative.
Example: Oxides of moderately reactive metals $\left( {eg - Zn,Fe,Cu,Ni} \right)$ are reduced by carbon.
So, in electrolytic reduction, Electrolysis process is used for reduction whereas, in reduction with carbon, carbon is used as a reducing agent.

Note- Redox is a type of chemical reaction in which atomic oxidation states are changed. Redox reactions are characterized by the real or structured movement of electrons between chemical species, most often with one species undergoing oxidation while another species is reduced. Both types of reduction have their own advantages and disadvantages so the best one is selected for reduction on the basis of our requirement.