Chapter 7: Problem 7

How will you use Ellingham diagram (a) To predict the reduction behaviour of carbon and carbon monoxide? (b) To predict the tendency of a metal to act as a reducing agent?

Short Answer

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Using the Ellingham diagram, we can predict the reduction behavior of carbon and carbon monoxide by checking their corresponding lines on the graph relative to the desired metal oxide. For estimating the tendency of a metal to act as a reducing agent, the position and slope of its line in the diagram can be analyzed. The more negatively sloped or lower-placed lines suggest a better reducing nature of metals.

Step by step solution

Understanding Ellingham Diagram

A significant property of the Ellingham diagram is that it represents the Gibbs energy change (\(ΔG\)) for the oxidation of metals to their oxides as a function of temperature. Each metal has its own line in the Ellingham diagram, and the position and slope of the line provide information about the stability of the metal oxide and its ability to reduce other metal oxides.

Analyzing the Reduction Behavior of Carbon and Carbon Monoxide

In the Ellingham diagram, the line for carbon (C) and carbon monoxide (CO) start at \(ΔG = 0\) at \(T = 298\) K. As the temperature increases, carbon burns in oxygen to form carbon monoxide, and the \(ΔG\) for this reaction is positive. Thus, at high temperatures, carbon will oxidize to carbon monoxide rather than to carbon dioxide. If the carbon monoxide line (i.e., the line representing the formation of CO from C and O2) is below the line for a given metal oxide, then carbon can reduce that metal oxide to the metal.

Predicting the Tendency of a Metal to Act as a Reducing Agent

The metals that appear lower on the Ellingham diagram have a stronger tendency to be oxidized, and hence, they act as better reducing agents. Additionally, the more negative the slope of a metal's line on the Ellingham diagram, the better the metal is as a reducing agent. For instance, a metal whose line lies below that of another can reduce the latter's oxide to the metal, thereby acting as a reducing agent.

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How will you use Ellingham diagram (a) To predict the reduction behaviour of carbon and carbon monoxide? (b) To predict the tendency of a metal to act as a reducing agent?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Ellingham Diagram

Analyzing the Reduction Behavior of Carbon and Carbon Monoxide

Predicting the Tendency of a Metal to Act as a Reducing Agent

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