Question

Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R 

Assertion A: The reduction of a metal oxide is easier if the metal formed is in liquid state than solid state. 

Reason R: The value of ΔG^⊖ becomes more on negative side as entropy is higher in liquid state than solid state.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
• B. Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A
• C. A is correct but R is not correct
• D. A is not correct but R is correct

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

To solve this question, let's analyze the given Assertion (A) and Reason (R) separately and then check their correlation.

1. Assertion A: "The reduction of a metal oxide is easier if the metal formed is in liquid state than solid state."
   • During the reduction process, thermodynamic factors play a crucial role. One key thermodynamic function is Gibbs Free Energy change (ΔG), which determines the feasibility of a reaction at constant temperature and pressure.
   • If the resulting metal is in liquid state, it generally has a higher entropy than in the solid state. A high entropy (S) contributes to a decrease in Gibbs Free Energy (since ΔG = ΔH - TΔS), making the process more spontaneous.
   • Thus, the assertion is correct because the reaction would preferentially proceed to reduce the oxide to a liquid state metal due to its thermodynamic favorability.
2. Reason R: "The value of ΔG^⊖ becomes more on negative side as entropy is higher in liquid state than solid state."
   • The equation for Gibbs Free Energy is: ΔG = ΔH - TΔS , where:
     • ΔH is the change in enthalpy.
     • T is the temperature.
     • ΔS is the change in entropy.
   • When the metal is in the liquid state, the ΔS term is higher compared to when it is in the solid state. This increases the value of TΔS, making ΔG more negative, thus, favoring the reaction.
   • The reason provided supports the assertion properly as it explains the thermodynamic conditions under which the reduction process is easier.
3. Conclusion:
   • Both Assertion A and Reason R are correct statements.
   • Reason R correctly explains why the reduction of a metal oxide to liquid metal is easier — due to thermodynamic favorability as dictated by the equation of Gibbs Free Energy.
   • Therefore, the option "Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A" is the most appropriate answer.