Iron is extracted from iron ore (which contains Fe2O3) using carbon monoxide. This overall reaction is slow and so must be heated. The chemical equation for this reaction under certain conditions is shown below:
Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2 ∆H = − 30 kJ / mol
Which one of the following statements about this process is correct.

Answer:

10) C

In iron (III) oxide, iron has an oxidation state of +3. In iron (in products), iron has an oxidation state of 0. So iron is reduced, which means it has gained electrons. So A is wrong.

The oxide ions in iron (III) oxide each have a charge of -2. So B is wrong.

Iron (III) oxide oxidises carbon in CO. In CO, carbon has an oxidation state of +2 but in carbon monoxide, it has an oxidation state of +4. So Iron (III) oxide oxidises carbon from +2 to +4. So, Iron (III) oxide is an oxidising agent. C is the answer.

The value of ∆H is negative which indicates that this process is exothermic. D is wrong.

Electric current is not used in this reaction so this is not an example of electrolysis. So E is wrong.