explain this reaction

Question

An important industrial process is refining iron ore in a blast furnace. Carbon trades places with Iron metal from Iron (III) oxide to produce pure Iron and carbon dioxide gas.

Answer 1

The reaction would be:

3C(s) + 2Fe2O3(s) + heat ===> 4Fe + 3CO2

 

The explanation of this reaction is:

This is an oxidation/reduction reaction, where C is being oxidized and iron is being reduced.  Carbon has gone from an oxidation state of zero on the left to 4+ on the right.  Iron has gone from an oxidation state of 3+ on the left to zero on the right.

Answer 2

3C + 2Fe2O3 -->  4Fe + 3CO2