WBCS.LIVE practice question

Which is the reducing agent in the thermit reaction carried out for repairing of the railway track?

Solve this multiple-choice question and check the correct answer with its explanation below.

Answer options

  1. Iron oxide
  2. Aluminium metal
  3. Aluminium oxide
  4. Iron metal

Correct answer and explanation

Correct answer: Aluminium metal

Explanation: In the Thermit reaction, aluminium metal acts as the reducing agent. 📚 Other Information: ▪️ The thermit reaction is used for welding railway tracks. ▪️ Reaction: Fe₂O₃ + 2Al → 2Fe + Al₂O₃ + heat. ▪️ Aluminium reduces iron oxide to molten iron. ▪️ The process generates high heat, around 2500°C. ▪️ It is an example of a redox reaction. ▪️ This process is also called aluminothermic reaction. ▪️ It is widely used in metal extraction and repair. ▪️ The molten iron produced immediately welds broken metal parts.