Question

What factors determine which reducing agent is selected for producing a specific metal?

Short answer

The factors are given below:

- Cost of the reducing agent.

- Strength of the reducing agent needed.

- By-products formed during the production of metals.

- Amount of reducing agent requires reducing the metal.

Step-by-step solution

Reducing agent

Reducing agent: A substance that undergoes oxidation and reduces another substance is referred to as a reducing agent.

Metals: They are lustrous materials that conduct electricity and heat, are malleable, and ductile. For instance, iron and copper.

Explanation

-The price of the reducing agent should be cheap.

- It should be readily available.

-The reduction reaction should have negative Gibb’s free energy value. That means the

reduction reaction should be thermodynamically stable and spontaneous.

- For less active metals like tungsten, active reducing agents like hydrogen should be taken.

- When a metal might form an undesirable hydride, its oxide is reduced by a more active metal.