Explain the reduction of metal oxides to metal.

(N/A) Metal oxides are reduced to their respective metals by heating them with a reducing agent such as carbon $(C)$ or carbon monoxide $(CO)$.
The reducing agent combines with the oxygen present in the metal oxide.
The general reaction is: $M_{x}O_{y} + yC \rightarrow xM + yCO$.
Some metal oxides are easily reduced,while others are difficult to reduce. Reduction involves the gain of electrons by the metal ion. In most cases,heating is required to facilitate the process.