198.

Account for the following facts:
The reduction of a metal oxide is easier if the metal formed is in liquid state at the temperature of reduction.

The entrophy is higher if the metal is in liquid state than when it is in solid state.In solid state, the entropy or randomness will be less due to high intermolecular force of attraction while in liquid state, the entropy will be more comparatively. Therefore value of entropy change (ΔS) of the reduction process is more +ve side when the metal formed is in liquid state and the metal oxide being reduced is in solid state. Thus the value of ΔG° becomes more on negative side and the reduction becomes easier.