🧪 Chemistry · p-Block Elements (Groups 13 & 14) · NEET & JEE

Carbon monoxide is a powerful reducing agent used in metallurgy. In the reaction Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2, the carbon in CO:

Answer: Is oxidised from +2 to +4.

A Is oxidised from +2 to +4
B Is reduced from +2 to 0
C Remains in the +2 state
D Is oxidised from 0 to +4

Correct answer: A. Is oxidised from +2 to +4

Explanation: CO reduces the iron oxide to iron; the carbon itself goes from +2 in CO to +4 in CO2, so it is oxidised while acting as the reducing agent.

Diamond's rigid 3D tetrahedral network makes it the hardest natural material, while graphite's flat hexagonal sheets are held together only by weak forces, letting them slide past each other (used as a lubricant and in pencils).

Concept context

Covers the Boron family (Group 13: B, Al) and the Carbon family (Group 14: C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb). Key topics include Lewis acid behaviour of BF₃, borax bead test, silicates, silicones, allotropes of carbon, and trends in properties down the group.

Read the full p-Block Elements (Groups 13 & 14) notes →

Carbon monoxide is a powerful reducing agent used in metallurgy. In the reaction Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO<sub>2</sub>, the carbon in CO:

Concept context

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