1. Interpret the given data

The reactions are intended to represent heats of oxidation:

$\mathrm{C + O_2 \to CO_2}, \quad \Delta H = -393 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$ $\mathrm{Zn + \tfrac12 O_2 \to ZnO}, \quad \Delta H = -412 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$

(The coefficients as printed are inconsistent with the enthalpy values, but the standard values clearly correspond to oxidation of 1 mole of C and 1 mole of Zn.)

2. Compare affinity for oxygen

More negative enthalpy of oxide formation means the oxide is more stable and that element has greater tendency to combine with oxygen.

Here,

$\Delta H_f(\mathrm{ZnO}) = -412 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$ $\Delta H_f(\mathrm{CO_2}) = -393 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$

Since

$-412 < -393$

formation of $\mathrm{ZnO}$ is more exothermic than formation of $\mathrm{CO_2}$.

So, Zn has greater affinity for oxygen than C.

3. Check which displacement is thermodynamically feasible

If carbon were to oxidise zinc (i.e. carbon takes oxygen away from zinc oxide), the reaction would be:

$\mathrm{ZnO + C \to Zn + CO} \quad \text{or} \quad \mathrm{2ZnO + C \to 2Zn + CO_2}$

Using the $\mathrm{CO_2}$ form:

$\mathrm{2ZnO + C \to 2Zn + CO_2}$

Its enthalpy change is approximately

$\Delta H = \Delta H_f(\mathrm{CO_2}) - 2\Delta H_f(\mathrm{ZnO})$

which is positive if compared directly with the given magnitudes, indicating zinc oxide is very stable relative to carbon oxidation as presented here. Hence carbon cannot oxidise zinc under this thermodynamic comparison.

4. Meaning of “Zn can oxidise carbon”

This means zinc can remove oxygen from carbon oxides, i.e. zinc itself gets oxidised while carbon gets reduced. Since $\mathrm{ZnO}$ formation is more exothermic than $\mathrm{CO_2}$ formation, zinc can do this thermodynamically.

Thus, Zn can oxidise carbon.

5. Evaluate options

• A: carbon can oxidise Zn — False
• B: oxidation of carbon is not feasible — False, carbon oxidation is feasible since $\Delta H < 0$
• C: oxidation of Zn is not feasible — False, zinc oxidation is feasible since $\Delta H < 0$
• D: Zn can oxidise carbon — True

Final Answer

$\boxed{\text{D}}$