How does atomic hydrogen react with metal oxides?

Atomic hydrogen is highly reactive and acts as a powerful reducing agent. When it interacts with metal oxides, it reduces them to produce the metal in its elemental state.1

This process is distinct from the behavior of molecular hydrogen ($H_2$), which typically requires elevated temperatures and pressures to effectively reduce most metal oxides and metallic salts. For instance, at high temperatures, molecular hydrogen reacts with ferrous oxide to yield metallic iron and water ($H_2+FeO\to Fe+H_{2}O$).1