Question

What happens when a metal is reduced. Give an example of a metal being reduced

Answer 1

Answer:

The oxidation number of the metal decreases

2 Al  + Fe₂O₃ → Al₂O₃ + 2 FeO

The metal element iron, is reduced from Fe⁺³ in Fe₂O₃ to Fe⁺² in FeO

Explanation:

When an element gains electron, the element becomes reduced, hence when a metal is reduced, the metal gains electrons, which reduces the oxidation number of the metal

An example of a metal being reduced is;

2 Al  + Fe₂O₃ → Al₂O₃ + 2 FeO

In the above reaction, the iron (III) oxide is reduced to iron (II) oxide by aluminium metal.