5 Metallurgy
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GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND PROCESSES OF ISOLATION OF
ELEMENTS - METALLURGY
TOTAL SESSIONS−04
SESSION −1
AIM - To introduce Principles and Processes of Extraction of Elements
THEORY - DISTRIBUTION OF ELEMENTS ON THE EARTH
Earth is a source of large number of elements. The distribution of these
elements in different parts of the earth is different. The elements may be
volatile themselves or form compounds that are volatile under the conditions at
the time of condensation of earth. Other elements may be non -volatile.
Volatiles: C, halogens, Hg, Pb, Zn
Non - volatiles: Fe, Co, Ni, Si, Be, Ca
The elements are not uniformly distributed and therefore, it is not possible to
have exact data of the abundances of the elements.
Condensation Process:
The early condensation products depended on the conditions prevailing at the
time of condensation of the earth. These appeared in minerals which condensed
at relatively high temperatures and are non-volatile and did not suffer much loss.
These include metallic iron (with about 12.5% Ni), diopside (CaMgSi2O6),
anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8) etc.
Thus, the elements Fe, O, Mg, and Si account for 90% of the earth and the other
elements such as S, Ni, Al and Ca account for 6 to 7%. A relatively depleted
group consists of moderately volatile elements such as Ag, Zn, Ge, Sn, F, etc.,
the group of volatile elements which were highly depleted are Cd, Hg, Pb and
halogens (other than F)s
Zonal distribution of elements:
The earth is divided into three main parts
(1) Atmosphere (2) Hydrosphere (3) Lithosphere
The solid phase of the earth is called lithosphere. It consists of three district
layers
a) Core b) Mantle c) Crust
Core: The innermost part of earth is called its core. It consists of inner solid sphere
surrounded by a shell of molten matter.
The core is made up of iron and some nickel. Other elements alloyed with iron in
the core include Co, Pd and Rh. The elements present in the core are collectively
known as siderophiles.
CHAITRA V
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Mantle: The region between the crust and the core of the earth is called mantle. It is
largely made up of silicates of iron and magnesium
Crust: The outermost layer of the earth is called crust. The thickness of the earth
varies from place to place.
(main zones of earth’s interior)
Abundance of elements in the earth’s crust:
Light elements such as O, Si, and Al make up the earth’s crust. Oceanic crust
mainly contains Mg and Fe. The continental crust is made up of main types of
igneous rocks.
i) Light rocks: These consist of granite and related types containing 70 % SiO2
together with Al2O3.
ii) Heavy rocks: These consist of basalt (containing 40 - 50%, SiO2 together with
MgO).
Aluminum is the second most abundant element in the light rocks and magnesium
is the second most element in the heavy rocks.
Convection currents both in the air above and in the molten melt below the crust
caused a continual breakup and rebuilding of the crust giving rise to high
(Continent) and low (ocean) regions. The earth’s crust also suffered erosion by
water, air and CO2 producing sedimentary materials (Clay, sand, mud) which
deposited in rivers, lakes and oceans. Continuous deposition of sedimentary
material resulted in the formation of sedimentary rocks such as lime stone, chalk
and sandstone. Which constitute 5% of the earth’s crust. These sedimentary
rocks provide the most readily available source of ores.
Elements in Biological world:
Metals are also found in living organisms, e.g.,
(1) Magnesium is found in chlorophyll.
(2) Potassium is present in plant roots.
(3) Manganese, Iron and copper are present in chloroplast.
(4) Zinc is present in eyes of cats and cows.
(5) Iron is present in hemoglobin.
(6) Calcium is present in bones.
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(7) Vanadium is present in cucumbers.
(8) Chromium is present in prawn.
Occurrence of metals:
Most of the metals occur in the combined state. A few metals occur in the free-
state or native state because they have a little or no affinity for air, water,
oxygen, carbon dioxide etc. The metals which are found in native state are Gold,
Silver and Platinum.
Elements in combined state need to be extracted from their compound forms.
TERMINOLOGY
Minerals: Minerals are the naturally occurring substance obtained by mining and
contain the metal in free state or combined state.
Ores: is a mineral from which the metal can be economically extracted.
All ores are minerals, but all minerals are not ores.
eg : Clay (Al2O3.2SiO2.2H2O) and bauxite (Al2O3.2H2O) are two minerals of Al.
But Aluminum can be profitably extracted from bauxite, but not from clay.
Thus, bauxite is an ore and clay is mineral.
Mining: is process of taking out the ores from the earth’s crust is called mining.
Gangue or Matrix : The unwanted impurities associated with the ores are known as
gangue or matrix.
Flux: A substance added to convert gangue or matrix into fusible mass is called flux.
Slag: The fusible mass obtained by adding flux to the ore (gangue) is called slag.
Flux + gangue ------> Slag
Fluxes are of two types.
a) Acidic flux: When ore is associated with basic impurities such as FeO, CaO, MgO
etc., a suitable acidic flux is used.
eg: SiO2, P2O5 etc.
FeO + SiO2 ----> FeSiO3 + Ferrous silicate
(gangue) (flux) (slag)
CaO + SiO2 -----> CaSiO3 ----> Calcium silicate
b) Basic flux: If the ore is associated with acidic impurities such as SiO2, P2O5., then
basic flux is added.
SiO2 + CaO ------> CaSiO3
(gangue) (flux) (slag)
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Some important Ores of metals:
1. Halides
(a)Rock Salt, NaCl (b) Horn Silver, AgCl
(c) Carnalite, KCl MgCl2 6H2O (d) Fluorspar, CaF2
(e) Cryolite, Na3AlF6 (f)Sylvine, KCl
2. Nitrates
(a) Chile salt petre, NaNO3 (b) Nitre or Indian salt petre, KNO3
3. Sulphates
(a) Gypsum, CaSO4.2H2O
(b) Baryte or heavy spar, BaSO4
(c) Anglesite, PbSO4
(d) Epsom Salt, MgSO4 7H2O
(e) Kainite, K2SO4 MgSO4 MgCl2 7H2O
4. Carbonates
(a) Magnesite, MgCO3 (b) Malachite, CuCO3, Cu (OH)2
(c) Dolomite, CaCO3. MgCO3 (d) Lime stone, CaCO3
(e) Siderite, FeCO3 (f) Calamine, ZnCO3
5. Oxides
(a) Cuprite, Cu2O (b) Zincite, ZnO
(c) Bauxite, Al2O3.2H2O (d) Haematite, Fe2O3
(e) Cassiterite, SnO2 (f) Chromite, FeO.Cr2O3
(g) Pyrolusite, MnO2
6. Sulphides
(a) Galena, PbS (b) Copper Pyrite CuFeS2
(c) Zinc blende ZnS (d) Cinnabar HgS
(e) Copper Glance Cu2S (f) Iron pyrite FeS2
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Relation between the reactivity of metal and mode of Occurrence
✓ Highly reactive metals occur in combined state in the generally as their chlorides,
sulphates or carbonates.
✓ Moderately reactive metals generally occur as their oxides and sulphides.
✓ Noble metals exists in native state.
Minerals found in India:
India is rich in a variety of minerals. Orissa and Bihar have the largest deposits
of Fe, Mn, Cr, in addition to coal, mica & phosphates. Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra are rich in Mn, Cr, bauxite & many other minerals. Rajasthan is rich
in non -ferrous metals like Cu, Zn &Pb. Tamil-nadu is rich in Fe, Mn, mica,
limestone and lignite.
GENERAL PRINCIPLE OF METALLURGY
Metallurgy: is the process of extraction of metals from their Ores is called metallurgy.
The method of extraction of metal depends on the nature of the metal and the
nature of its ore. The various steps involved in the extraction of metals from
their ores are:
(1) Concentration of Ores
(2) Extraction or isolation of metals from concentrated Ores.
(3) Refining or purification of metals
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CONCENTRATION OF ORES - The ores are associated with unwanted earthy
impurities like sand, mud, clay, rocks etc. These impurities are called gangue or
matrix. The removal of gangue from the ore is called ore dressing or beneficiation or
concentration of ore. The purified ore is called concentrate.
By this method percentage of metal in ore is increased to the desired level.
Concentration of the ore can be carried out in the following ways depending upon
the nature of ore.
1. Hand picking:
In case the impurities are quite distinct from the ore so that these may be
differentiated by naked eye, these may be separated by hand picking.
2. Gravity separation or Hydraulic Washing or Levigation: The separation is based
on the difference in the specific gravities of the gangue particles and the ore
particles. The powdered ore is agitated with water or washed with a running
stream of water. The heavy ore particles settle down while the lighter particles
of sand, clay, etc are washed away. For this either Wilfley table or Hydraulic
classifier is used.
(a) Wilfley table method:
The powdered ore is fed on the top of the wilfley table. A stream of water is
made to flow across the table. The table is kept vibrating. The lighter gangue
particles are carried away by water. The heavier ore particles settle down.
Generally, oxide ores are concentrated by this method.
Crushed ore
Water
Riffles
Ore particles
Gangue mixed
with water
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(b) Hydraulic Classifier method: Hydraulic classifier is a conical reservoir having a
hopper at the top and a pipe at the bottom.
Principle: This method is based on the difference in densities of ore and impurities.
Lighter impurities are washed away in the stream of water white heavier ore
settles at the bottom.
Used for: Heavy oxide ores of lead, tin, iron etc.
Procedure: Finely divided ore particles are dropped
in through the hopper and a powerful current
of water is introduced through the pipe at
the bottom. The lighter gangue particles are
carried away by the current of water at the
top. The heavier ore particles collect in the
apex of the cone at the bottom of the
reservoir. Gravity separation method using
water is called levigation.
(3) Magnetic Separation:
Principle: This method based on the magnetic property difference between the ore and
impurities. Either the ore or the impurities are magnetic in nature.
Used for: Magnetite, Cassiterite or tin stone, pyrolusite, chromite ores.
Procedure: The powdered ore is carried by a leather or brass belt passing over two
rollers one of which encloses a magnet in it. The ore is dropped through a hopper
over the belt. The magnetic impurities are pulled towards the electromagnetic
roller and fall in a heap near to it. The non-magnetic particles fall away from it in
a separate heap.
Exp: Cassiterite or tinstone magnetic is concentrated by this method contain
impurities Wolframite (FeWO4)
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(4) Froth floatation process:
Principle: Difference in wetting properties of the ore and the impurities. Surface of
sulphide ores is wetted by oils while impurity or gangue is wetted by water.
Used for: Sulphide ores such as zinc-blende(ZnS), copper-pyrites (CuFeS2), galena
(PbS), etc.
Procedure:
✓ The ore is crushed into a fine powder and mixed with water to form a suspension
in a tank.
✓ To this suspension are added collectors (e.g. pine oil, xanthates, i.e., sodium
ethyl-xanthate & potassium ethyl-xanthate and fatty acids) which enhance the
non-wettability of the ore particles.
✓ Froth-stabilizers (e.g., cresols and aniline) which stabilize the froth.
✓ The suspension is violently agitated by the rotating paddle which draws in air
causing frothing.
✓ During this process, the ore particles which are preferentially wetted by the oil
become lighter, while the gangue particles which are preferentially wetted by
water become heavier and thus settle down at the bottom of the tank.
✓ The froth is skimmed off. It is allowed to collapse and finally dried to get the
concentrated ore. This rise to the surface along with the froth.
✓ If the mineral to be concentrated consists of sulphides of two metals, then by
adjusting the proportion of oil to water, it is often possible to separate one
sulphide from the other. Sometimes additional reagents called froth depressants
are used to prevent one type of sulphide ore particles from forming the froth
with air bubbles.
For example, Sodium cyanide is used as a depressant to separate PbS from ZnS.
This is due to the reason that NaCN forms a zinc complex, Na2[Zn(CN)4] on the
surface ofZnS thereby preventing it from the formation of froth. Under these
conditions, only PbS forms froth and hence can be separated from ZnS ore.
4NaCN + ZnS → Na2 [Zn(CN)4] + Na2S
Sod.Tetracyanozincate(II)
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5. Leaching: is a process where ore is separated from the gangue by chemical
methods. In leaching, powdered ore with a suitable reagent (such as acids, bases
or other chemicals) which can selectively dissolve the ore but not the impurities.
Examples:
(a) Leaching of Alumina from Bauxite: Pure alumina (Al2O3) is obtained from the
bauxite ore by Baeyer’s process.
✓ Bauxite ore contains impurities of iron oxide (Fe2O3), silica (SiO2) and titanium
oxide(TiO2).
✓ The powdered ore is heated with a concentrated (45%) solution of NaOH at 473-
523 K and 35-36 bar pressure.
✓ Under these conditions, alumina (Al2O3) dissolves forming sodium meta-aluminate
and silica (SiO2) as sodium silicate, leaving behind the impurities
Al2O3(s) + 2NaOH + 3H2O → 2Na[Al(OH)4](aq)
Alumina Sod.meta-aluminate
Si2O2(s) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2SiO3(aq) + H2O(l)
Silica Sod.silicate
✓ The resulting solution is filtered (to remove undissolved impurities), cooled and
its pH adjusted downward either by dilution or by neutralization with CO2 when
aluminum hydroxide gets precipitated.
✓ Thereafter, the solution is seeded with freshly prepared samples of hydrated
alumina when hydrated alumina gets precipitated leaving sodium silicate in the
solution.
2Na[Al(OH)4](aq) + 2CO2(g) → Al2O3.xH2O(s) + 2NaHCO3(aq)
Hydrated alumina, obtained as above, is filtered, washed and finally heated to
about 1473 K to get pure alumina (Al2O3).
Al2O3 .xH2O(s) → Al2O3(s) + xH2O(g)
(b) Leaching of silver and gold ores. Leaching is also used for extracting precious
metals like silver and gold by converting these metals or their ores into their
soluble complexes.
✓ The finely powdered argentite or the native silver or gold is treated with a dilute
solution (0.5%) of NaCn or KCN while a current of air is continuously passed.
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✓ As a result, silver and gold get oxidized which then combine with CN- ions forming
their respective soluble complex cyanides while the impurities remain unaffected
which are filtered off. Thus:
4M + 8CN– + 2H2O + O2 → 4[M(CN)2]– + 4OH–
(air) Soluble complex
✓ For silver, 4Ag + 8NaCN + 2H2O + O2 → 4Na[Ag(CN)2] + 4NaOH
It instead of native silver ore, silver glance or argentite (Ag2S) is used for
leaching of silver, the initial reaction forming the soluble silver complex is
reversible. However, the current of air used oxidizes largely Na2S (formed in the
reaction) to Na2SO4 thereby pushing the equilibrium in the forward direction.
Ag2S + 4 NaCN → 2Na[Ag(CN)2] + Na2S
Sod.Dicyanoargentate (I)
(Soluble Complex)
4 Na2S + 2 H2O + 5 O2 (air)→ 2 Na2SO4 + 4 NaOH + 2 S
✓ For gold, 4 Au + 8 KCN + 2 H2O + O2 → 4 K [Au(CN)2] + 4 KOH
Pot. Dicyanoaurate (I)
(Soluble complex)
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SESSION −2
AIM - To continue discussing the Process of Extraction of Elements
THEORY
EXTRACTION OF CRUDE METALS FROM CONCENTRATED ORES
The process used to obtain metals in free state from concentrated ores is
called extraction. Since, many metals can be easily obtained from their
respective oxides by reduction (electronation), therefore, the extraction of
metals actually involves the following two chemical processes:
1. Conversion of the ore into metal oxide, i.e., de-electronation of ore.
2. Reduction or electronation of the metal oxide to the free metal.
A) Conversion of the Ore into Metal Oxide or De-electronation of Ores:
Metals are usually present in ores as hydrated oxides (hydroxides), carbonates
and sulphides. Depending upon the nature of the minerals present in the ores, the
following two methods are used for conversion of ores into their respective
oxides.
(a) Calcination: is a process in which ore is heated at high temperature in the
absence of air below it melting point.
Calcination is usually carried out in reverberatory furnace.
Note -This process is used for carbonate and hydrated ores into oxides.
MgCO3(Magnesite) → MgO + CO2
CaCO3 (Limestone) → CaO + CO2
MgCO3 . CaCO3 (Dolomite) → MgO + CaO + 2 CO2
CuCO3 .Cu(OH)2 (Malachite) → 2 CuO + H2O + CO2
Advantages: As a result of calcinations
✓ volatile impurities are removed,
✓ gases may be expelled,
✓ the mass becomes porous,
✓ thermal decomposition of the ore takes place.
(b) Roasting: In this process, the ore is heated in excess of air, at temperature
below the melting point.
Roasting is usually carried out in blast or reverberatory furnace.
Note – This method used for the conversion of sulphide ore into oxide.
2ZnS + 3O2→ 2ZnO + 2SO2
2PbS + 3O2→ 2PbO + 2SO2
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Advantages: During roasting
(i) impurities like S, P, C, As, Sb etc., get oxidized and escape as volatile gases
SO2, P2O5, CO2, As2O3 and Sb2O3.
(ii) The sulphide ores decompose to their oxides evolving SO2.
(iii) Moisture is removed.
(iv) Mass becomes porous and can easily be reduced.
B) Reduction or Electronation of the Metal-oxide to the Free Metal:
After the preliminary treatment, the oxide form of the ore is subjected to
reduction to get the crude metal. This reduction may be carried out in three
different ways, each utilizing different forms of energy.
(i) Pyrometallurgy - The process of metallurgy in which the metal oxide is
reduced at high temperatures using suitable reducing agent is named as
pyrometallurgy.
Pyrometallurgy is carried out in any one of the following ways.
a. Smelting - Reduction of less electropositive metal oxide of Pb, Zn, Fe, Cu,
Sn etc., are strongly heated in a furnace at very high temperatures using
coke or charcoal as reducing agent and a suitable chemical substance as
flux to remove impurities is named as smelting.
Principle: Ellingham’s diagram (Dealt later in the section-6.4 of this chapter)
Used For: Ores of the metals with moderate reactivity like Fe, Zn, Sn etc.
For example, in the extraction of iron, haematite ore (Fe2O3) is smelted with coke
and limestone (flux). As a result of reduction iron is obtained in fused or molten
state. PbO + C → Pb + CO
PbO + CO → Pb + CO2
Fe2O3 + 3C → 2Fe + 3CO
Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2
The ores, even after concentration, contain some gangue. To remove gangue,
certain substances are mixed with concentrated ore which combine with gangue to
form fusible material which is not soluble in molten metal. The substances used are
called fluxes and the fusible material formed during reduction process is called slag.
Slag is usually lighter and floats on the surface of the molten metal.
Concentrated ore + gangue + reducing agent + flux → (Metal + slag + gases)
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b. Aluminothermic Process
Certain metal oxides like Cr2O3, Mn2O3 etc., cannot be reduced effectively by
carbon or carbon monoxide. In such cases, aluminium is used as a reducing agent
since Al is more electropositive than Cr and Mn.
The process of reduction of a metal oxides using aluminium as the reducing
agent at high temperature is known as Goldschmidt alumino-thermic process.
Cr2O3 + 2Al → Al2O3 + 2Cr + Heat ;
3Mn3O4 + 8Al → 4Al2O3 + 9Mn + Heat
Fe2O3 + 2Al → Al2O3 + 2Fe + 185 Kcals (3000 ºC)
Magnesium
ribbon
Al, Mg powder + BaO
2
Metallic oxide Fire clay crucible
+
Al powder Sand
Metal after the
reaction
c. Reduction by Hydrogen: The oxides of certain metals can be reduced by
means of hydrogen to the metal, e.g.,
NiO2 + 2H2 2H2O + Ni → NiO + H2 Ni + H2O
InO3 + 3H2 In + 3H2O → Ca2O3 + 6H 2Ca + 3H2O
d. Reduction by Magnesium: Rb2O3 + 3Mg → 3MgO + 2Rb
e. Reduction by carbon monoxide :CO formed by incomplete combustion of
carbon reduces the metal oxide to metal e.g.
Fe2O3 + 3CO 2Fe + 3CO2 → FeO + CO Fe + CO2
PbO + CO Pb + CO2 → CuO + CO Cu + CO2
f. Self-reduction process: This process is also called auto reduction process or air
reduction process. The sulphide ores of less electropositive metals like Hg, Pb,
Cu, etc. are heated in air as to convert part of the ore into oxide or sulphate
which then reacts with the remaining sulphide ore to give the metal and sulphur
dioxide. No external reducing agent is used in this process.
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g. Reduction by Na or Ca, Si, CaC2 and water gas: Certain metal halides can be
reduced with Na or Ca in a closed vessel by heating.
TiCl4 + 4Na → Ti + 4NaCl
TiCl4 + 4K → Ti + 4KCl
MnO .FeO + Si + FeO → MnSiO3 + 2Fe ;
MgCl2 + CaC2 → Mg + 2C + CaCl2
NiO + CO → Ni + CO2
NiO + H2→ Ni + H2O
h. Amalgamation process: This method is used for the extraction of noble metals
like gold, silver, etc. from the native ores. The finely powdered ore is brought
in contact with mercury which combines with the particles of the metal present
in the ore and form amalgam. The metal is recovered from the amalgam by
subjecting it to distillation, where the mercury distills over leaving behind the
metal.
Hg-vapour
Distilled
Ore + Hg Amalgam
Metal
(ii) Hydro metallurgy - Extraction of metal from its ores by dissolving the ores
in the solutions of suitable reagents is named as hydrometallurgy.
Principle: The ore becomes soluble in the solution of the reagent because of
formation of a complex. The complex is then reduced to obtain the crude
metal.
Used For: Ores or native states of noble metals like silver, gold etc.
Procedure:
✓ Silver ore is leached with the dilute solution of sodium cyanide.
Ag2S + 4NaCN → 2Na[Ag(CN)2] + Na2S
✓ Silver dissolves to form a complex sodium argento-cyanide. By the addition of
zinc turnings, Ag is precipitated. Here zinc displaces silver from complex.
2Na [Ag (CN)2] + Zn → Na2[Zn (CN)4] + 2Ag(ppt)
(iii) Electrometallurgy - Extraction of metals by the use of the process of
electrolysis is named as electrometallurgy.
Principle: Ores of reactive metals will be mostly ionic and hence behave as
electrolytes in the molten state. When subjected to electrolysis, the metal
cations get reduced at cathode to give crude metal.
Used For: Highly reactive metal (alkali and alkaline earth) ores like NaCl,
MgCl2, Al2O3 etc.
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Procedure:
✓ The ore is added with the substances that reduce the melting point of the
ore and taken in electrolytic cell in molten state.
✓ When electricity is passed metal cations from the ionized ore approach the
cathode and get reduced by the electrons near cathode.
✓ The crude metal is thus deposited on the cathode.
Example: Extraction of sodium, NaCl Na+ + Cl–
At cathode: Na++ Na (s)
At anode: Cl Cl + e–
2Cl Cl2(g)
REFINING OR PURIFICATION
The metals obtained by the application of above reduction methods from the
concentrated ores are usually impure. These impure metals may be associated
with small amounts of
(a) unchanged ore,
(b) other metals produced by the simultaneous reduction of their compounds
originally present in the ore,
(c) non-metals like silicon, carbon, phosphorus, etc.
(d) residual slag, flux etc.
The impure metal is thus subjected to some purifying processes known
as refining in order to remove the undesired impurities. The following refining
process may be applied depending upon the nature of the metal undertreatment
and the nature of the impurities.
(a) Liquation process
Principle: Difference in the melting
points(fusibility) of metal and the
impurities. Metal has lower melting point
than the impurities with which it is
associated.
Used For: Bi, Sn, Pb, Hg, etc have low M.P.
Procedure:
✓ The metal to be purified is placed on a sloping hearth maintained at a temperature
greater than the melting point of the metal.
❖ The metal melts and the liquid metal slopes down the hearth into a receiver leaving
behind the solid impurities.
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(b) Poling:
Principle: Green poles emit gases that can reduce the oxide impurities of the
same metal.
Used For: Copper metal (When oxide of the metal is present as the impurity)
Procedure: The molten metals is stirred with green wood poles. Wood at the
high temperature of the molten metals form hydrocarbons like methane which being
about the reduction of any oxide present in the metal. In the case of the tin the
impurities are oxidized and float on the molten metal as scum which is removed.
(c) Distillation: This process is used for those metals which are easily volatile. The
impure metal is heated in a retort and its vapors are separately condensed in a
receiver. The non-volatile impurities are left-behind in the retort.
Used for - the purification of Zn, Cd, Hg etc.
(d) Pyrometallurgical oxidation process: This process is used when the impurities
have a greater affinity for oxygen than the metal itself. This method is
usually employed for refining the metals like Fe, Cu, Ag, etc. The oxidation is
done by various ways.
(i) Cupellation: The impure metal is heated in a cupel or oval shaped crucible made of
bone ash or cement and a blast of air is passed over the molten mass. The
impurities get oxidized and removed with the blast of air.
Exp- the impurity of lead present in silver is removed by cupellation process.
(ii) Bessemerization: The impure metal is heated in a furnace and a blast of
compressed air is blown through the molten mass. The impurities get oxidized.
For example, the molten pig iron is taken in a Bessemer converter and
compressed air is passed which oxidizes the impurities.
2Mn + O2 → 2MnO
Si + O2 → SiO2
2C + O2 → 2CO
Electrolytic refining of metals:
Principle: When an impure metal containing less electropositive impurities is
subjected to electrolysis in the presence of electrolyte containing its ions, it
gets oxidized leaving behind impurities at anode. (Products of electrolysis – Unit-3:
Electrochemistry)
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The reactions are:
Anode: M →Mn+ + ne–
Cathode: Mn+ + ne– →M
Used For: Copper, silver
Procedure:
✓ Impure metal is made into anode while the pure metal is made cathode.
✓ Electrolyte should be solution of a salt of the same metal.
✓ On passing electricity metal in the anode undergoes oxidation and enters into
solution as ions.
✓ These ions are reduced at cathode to deposit as pure metal. Thus the
weight of impure anode goes on decreasing and that pure cathode increases.
✓ The less electropositive impurities settle down as anode mud.
Example: Copper is refined using an electrolytic method. Anodes are of impure
copper and pure copper strips are taken as cathode. The electrolyte is acidified
solution of copper sulphate and the net result of electrolysis is the transfer of
copper in pure form from the anode to the cathode:
Anode: Cu →Cu2+ + 2 e–
Cathode: Cu2+ + 2e– →Cu
Impurities from the blister copper deposit as anode mud which contains antimony,
selenium, tellurium, silver, gold and platinum.
(f) Special methods
(i) Mond’s process (Vapour phase refining iof Ni):
In this process, impure nickel is heated in a stream of carbon monoxide forming a
volatile complex, nickel tetracarbonyl.
Ni + 4CO → Ni(CO)4 at 330 – 350 K.
The carbonyl is subjected to higher temperature so that it is decomposed giving
the pure metal and carbon monoxide which can again be used.
Ni(CO)4 →Ni + 4CO at 450 – 470 K.
Above reactions are generally represented as follows,
ImpureNickel + CO ⎯⎯⎯⎯
330-350 K
→ Ni(CO)4 ⎯⎯⎯⎯
450-470 K
→ Ni + 4CO
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(ii) Van Arkel process: is generally applied for obtaining ultrapure metals.
This method is very useful for removing all the oxygen and nitrogen present in
the form of impurity in certain metals like Zr, Hf, Si and Ti. The impure metal is
converted into a volatile compound is then decomposed electrically to get the
pure metal.
❖ The crude metal is heated in an evacuated vessel with iodine. The metal iodide
being more covalent, volatilizes.
Zr + 2I2 →ZrI4
❖ The metal iodide is decomposed on a tungsten filament, electrically heated to
about 1800K. The pure metal is thus deposited on the filament.
ZrI4 →Zr + 2I2
Above reactions are generally represented as follows,
ImpureMetal +I2 → Metal Iodide vapour ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
Heating
Tunstun Filament
→ PureMetal +I2
(iii) Zone refining or Fractional crystallisation:
Principle: The impurities are more soluble in the melt than in the solid state of
the metal. When molten metal allowed to crystallize, the metal
recrystallizes while impurities do not.
Procedure:
✓ An impure metal rod is placed inside a small high frequency induction
furnace (‘H’ in figure- 6.8) and a narrow zone of metal is melted.
✓ The furnace is now slowly moved along the rod.
✓ The pure metal recrystalises out of the melt (‘X’ in figure-6.8) while
impurities remain in the melt which moves along with the melted zone of the
rod with the movement of furnace (‘Y’ in the figure).
✓ The process is repeated several times and the end of the rod where
impurities have collected is cut off (‘Z’ in the figure).
Used for: Elements such as Si, Ge, Ga,Si, In etc which are used as semiconductors
are refined by this method. Highly pure metals are obtained.
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(iv) Chromatographic Refining
Principle: Difference in the extent of adsorption of different components of a
mixture on adsorbent and difference in affinities of components to medium.
More the affinity of a given component to the medium, lesser is its extent of
adsorption and vice versa. (Unit-12: Organic chemistry: Some basic principles
and techniques of I PUC)
Used For: Lanthanoid metals (Element to be purified is small in quantity and
the impurities are chemically similar to the metal).
Procedure:
✓ A suitable adsorbent such as alumina (Al2O3) is packed in a glass tube
having stop cock near the bottom. This constitutes stationary phase.
✓ The mixture to be separated is dissolved in some suitable solvent and added to
the column.
✓ Different components of the mixture are adsorbed to different extent.
✓ Adsorbed components are removed or eluted using a suitable solvent named
as eluent added to the column. The eluent constitutes mobile phase.
✓ Weakly adsorbed column would have more affinity to the eluent and hence
reaches the bottom first. Likewise the components are collected in the
increasing order of the extent of adsorption i.e. least adsorbed first and
the most adsorbed last.
✓ Thus the components of the mixture reach the bottom one by one and get
separated.
Diagram: Column Chromatography
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NOTE: The procedure explained above is named as column chromatography. Based on
the nature of adsorbent and eluent, there are several other chromatographic
techniques known. They are paper chromatography, gas chromatography, gas-liquid
chromatography etc.
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SESSION −3
AIM
✓ To introduce thermodynamic Principles of Metallurgy
✓ To discuss some individual metal extractions
THEORY
THERMODYNAMIC PRINCIPLES OF METALLURGY
The basic concepts of thermodynamics are quite helpful in selecting which
substance will be the most suitable reducing agent for a particular oxide during a
metallurgical operation. It can also predict the optimum temperature at which
the reduction can occur smoothly.
For any reaction, Gibb’s Helmholtz free energy change (G) is given by the equation,
G = H – TS …(i)
Where H = enthalpy change
S = entropy change
T = absolute temperature at which the reaction is carried out.
For any reaction, this change could also be explained through the equation:
– RTlnK
where, K is the equilibrium constant of the ‘reactant – product’ system at the
temperature. A negative ΔG implies a positive K in equation. And this can happen
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only when reaction proceeds towards products. From these facts we can make
the following conclusions:
(i) When the value of G is negative in given equation, only then the reaction will
proceed. If S is positive, on increasing the temperature (T), the value of TS
would increase (H < TS) and then G will become negative.
(ii) If two reactions are put together in a system and the net G of the reactions is
–ve, the overall reaction will occur, i.e., a reaction with G positive can be made to
occur if it is coupled with another reaction having a large negative G so that the
net (G) of the both the reaction is negative.
Such coupling reactions can be easily understood through Ellingham diagram.
Ellingham diagram: Ellingham diagram consists of graphs which represent the
variation of standard free energy with temperature of the formation of oxides
of various elements, i.e, plots of G0 vs. T. Similar plots can also be plotted for
sulphides and halides. These were first plotted by H.J.T. Eillingham. These
diagrams help us in predicting the feasibility of thermal reduction of an ore.
Consider the formation of a metal oxide (MxO).
2xM(s) + O2(g) → 2MxO(s)
In this reaction, there is decrease in the value ofS0 as M2O is solid and O2 is a
gas, i.e., S is negative. Thus, if temperature is increased, TS0 becomes more
negative.
G0 = H0 – TS0
TS0is subtracted, therefore, G0becomes less negative, i.e., G0is likely to
increase with rise in temperature and this trend is confirmed from the curves of
metal oxides in Fig. The following observations are made from the curves.
(i) The slope of the curves of the formation of metal oxides is +ve because G0
becomes less negative or increases with the rise in temperature.
(ii) Each curve is a straight line except when some change takes place in phase (s→l
or l→g).
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The temperature at which such a change occurs is indicated by an increase in
the slope on the +ve side.
For example, in the Zn → ZnO curve, the melting of zinc is indicated by an
abrupt increase in the +ve slope at temperature 692 K.
(iii) In the case of less reactive metals like silver and mercury, G0 becomes positive
at high temperatures. It indicates that both silver oxide and mercury oxide
(HgO) are unstable and decompose at high temperature.
2Ag2O → 4Ag + O2
2HgO → 2Hg + O2
(iv) In the curve of CO, G0 decreases as S0 increases. This is indicated by the
downward trend.
(v) Any metal oxide with lower value of G0is more stable than a metal oxide
with higher G0.
This implies that the metal oxide placed higher in the diagram can
be reduced by the metal involved in the formation of the oxide placed lower
in the diagram.
For example, can be reduced by Al metal but cannot be reduced by Cr.
2Al → Al2O3 + 2Cr
Thus, the relative tendency of the various metals to act as reducing agents is:
Ca> Mg > A1 > Cr > Zn > Fe > Ni
Limitations of Ellingham Diagram:
Ellingham diagram simply tells whether the reduction of an oxide with a specific
reducing agent is possible or not. However, it does not tell anything about the
kinetics of the reduction process, i.e. whether the reduction is fast or slow.
The following examples explains better understanding of Ellingham Diagram in
reduction of metal oxide to metal using suitable reducing agent at different
temperatures.
Ex: Q 1) From the Below Ellinghams
diagram, Can carbon acts as a reducing
agent for reducing Cu2O to Cu at 273K ?
ANS: Calculation of ∆G value for the
reduction of Cu2O using Carbon.
2Cu2O → 4Cu + O2 , ∆G = 300KJ/mol ----------→ eq 1
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C + O2 → CO2 , ∆G = -350KJ/mol . --------→ eq 2
Eq 1 + Eq 2 (Coupling of above reactions),
➔ 2 Cu2O + C + O2 → 4Cu + O2 + CO2, ∆G =300 + (-350)
➔ 2 Cu2O + C → 4Cu + CO2 ∆G = - 50Kj/mol.
Yes, carbon acts as a reducing agent for reducing Cu2O to Cu, because ∆G < 0.
Ex : Q 2) From the Below Ellinghams diagram,
a) Can Al acts as a reducing agent for reducing MgO to Mg at 2273K ?
b) Can Al acts as a reducing agent for reducing MgO to Mg at 1073K ?
ANS: a) Calculation of ∆G value for the reduction of Mg O using Al at 2273K
2MgO → 2Mg + O2 , ∆G = 600KJ/mol ----------→ eq 1
4/3 Al + O2 → 2/3 Al2O3 , ∆G = -700KJ/mol . --------→ eq 2
Eq 1 + Eq 2 (Coupling of above reactions),
➔ 2 MgO + 4/3 Al + O2 → 2Mg + O2 + 2/3 Al2O3, ∆G =600 + (-700)
➔ 2 MgO + 4/3 Al → 2Mg + 2/3 Al2O3, ∆G = -100Kj/mol.
Yes, Al can acts as a reducing agent for reducing MgO to Mg at 2273K, because ∆G < 0.
b) Calculation of ∆G value for the reduction of Mg O using Al at 1073K
2MgO → 2Mg + O2 , ∆G = 950KJ/mol ----------→ eq 1
4/3 Al + O2 → 2/3 Al2O3 , ∆G = -900KJ/mol . --------→ eq 2
Eq 1 + Eq 2 (Coupling of above reactions),
➔ 2 MgO + 4/3 Al + O2 → 2Mg + O2 + 2/3 Al2O3, ∆G =950 + (-900)
➔ 2 MgO + 4/3 Al → 2Mg + 2/3 Al2O3, ∆G = 50Kj/mol.
No, Al cannot act as a reducing agent for reducing MgO to Mg at 1073K,
because ∆G > 0.
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Ex: Q 3) From the Below Ellinghams diagram,
Can Al acts as a reducing agent for reducing ZnO to Zn at 1473K ?
Ans: Calculation of ∆G value for the reduction of Zn O using Al at 1473K
2ZnO → 2Zn + O2 , ∆G = 300KJ/mol ----------→ eq 1
4/3 Al + O2 → 2/3 Al2O3 , ∆G = -850KJ/mol . --------→ eq 2
Eq 1 + Eq 2 (Coupling of above reactions),
➔ 2 ZnO + 4/3 Al + O2 → 2Zn + O2 + 2/3 Al2O3, ∆G =300 + (-850)
➔ 2 ZnO + 4/3 Al → 2Zn + 2/3 Al2O3, ∆G = -550Kj/mol.
Yes, Al can acts as a reducing agent for reducing ZnO to Zn at 1473K, because ∆G < 0.
Ex: Q 4) From the Below Ellinghams diagram
Predict the best reducing agent ‘carbon’ or ‘carbon monoxide’ for reducing FeO to Fe in
a blast furnace at the temperatures i) 673K ii) 1073K iii) 1473K
ANS: a) Calculat ∆G value for the reduction of FeO using Carbon / CO at 673K
2FeO → 2Fe + O2 , ∆G = 400KJ/mol ----------→ eq 1
C + O2 → CO2 , ∆G = -380KJ/mol . --------→ eq 2
2CO + O2 → 2CO2, ∆G =-420KJ/mol ---------→ eq 3
Eq 1 + Eq 2 (Coupling of above reactions), ➔ ∆G =400 -380 = 20Kj/mol
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Eq 1 + Eq 3 (Coupling of above reactions), ➔ ∆G =400 -420 = - 20Kj/mol
From the above, we can infer that carbon monoxide acts as a reducing
agent for reducing FeO to Fe, at 673K because ∆G < 0.
b) Calculation of ∆G value for the reduction of FeO using Carbon / CO at 1073K
2FeO → 2Fe + O2 , ∆G = 320KJ/mol ----------→ eq 1
C + O2 → CO2 , ∆G = -380KJ/mol . --------→ eq 2
2CO + O2 → 2CO2, ∆G =-330KJ/mol ---------→ eq 3
Eq 1 + Eq 2 (Coupling of above reactions), ➔ ∆G =320 -380 = - 60Kj/mol
Eq 1 + Eq 3 (Coupling of above reactions), ➔ ∆G =320 -330 = - 10Kj/mol
From the above, we can infer that carbon monoxide aswell as Carbon acts
as a reducing agent for reducing FeO to Fe, at 1073K because ∆G < 0. a)
c) Calculation of ∆G value for the reduction of FeO using Carbon / CO at 1473K
2FeO → 2Fe + O2 , ∆G = 290KJ/mol ----------→ eq 1
C + O2 → CO2 , ∆G = -380KJ/mol . --------→ eq 2
2CO + O2 → 2CO2, ∆G =-250KJ/mol ---------→ eq 3
Eq 1 + Eq 2 (Coupling of above reactions), ➔ ∆G =290 -380 = -90Kj/mol
Eq 1 + Eq 3 (Coupling of above reactions), ➔ ∆G =290 - 250 = 40Kj/mol
From the above, we can infer that carbon acts as a reducing agent for reducing
FeO to Fe, at 1473K because ∆G < 0
Reducing Nature of Carbon:
Carbon in the form of coke, charcoal or carbon monoxide is used as a reducing
agent in pyrometallurgical operations. Such a reduction process used in the
extraction of a metal is termed smelting.
When carbon is to act as a reducing agent, the following three reactions are
possible:
………(i)
In the first reaction (formation of CO2) there is hardly any change in entropy,
i.e.,S00 and therefore,G0 remains nearly the same with rise in temperature,
i.e.,
Ellingham diagram for the reducing nature of carbon
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………(ii)
In the second reaction (formation of CO), there is increase in entropy (S0is
positive) and therefore, G0becomes less negative with increase in temperature.
………(iii)
However, in third reaction, there is decrease in entropy(S0 is negative) and
therefore, G0becomes less negative with increase in temperature.
The above observations can be seen in Fig. The three curves have been found to
intersect at 983 K.
It implies that above this temperature, the reaction (ii) is most suitable. It
means that carbon can reduce any metal oxide at very high temperatures and is
then itself oxidized to CO. However, the reduction with carbon at high
temperatures is not preferred in all cases due to the following reasons:
(a) It involves high cost.
(b) Some metals react with carbon at high temperatures and form carbides.
(c) There are many practical difficulties in the maintenance of high temperature.
From the plot for the reaction of carbon monoxide with oxygen, it is evident that
carbon monoxide acts as a better reducing agent than carbon at temperatures
below 983 K.
Without making any calculations forrG0, the predication about the feasibility of
a reduction process can be made by looking at the Ellingham diagram.
Metal oxide placed higher in the diagram can be reduced by the element (metal)
involved in the formation of the oxide placed lower in the diagram.
It is important to note that if a particular reduction process does not take place
at a lower temperature, it may take place at a higher temperature. Ellingham
diagram also helps in selecting such a temperature. The temperature is indicated
by the intersection of the two curves. For example, the temperature at the
intersection point ‘A’ in fig of two curves for Al→Al2O3 and Mg→MgO is
approximately 1665 K. Below this temperature Mg reduces Al2O3 into Al but
above 1665 K, Al can reduce MgO into Mg.
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Extraction of some metals from their metal oxides:
(1) COPPER
Occurrence:
i) Copper glance (chalcocite) Cu2S
ii) Copper pyrites (Chalopyrites) CuFeS2
iii) Malchite Cu(OH)2 CuCO3
iv) Cuprite or Ruby copper Cu2O
v) Azurite Cu(OH)22CuCO3
Extraction:
From sulphide ores:
(a) Concentration of the ore: The concentration of the sulphide ores is done by forth
Air
floatation process. agitator
Froth
gangue
(b) Roasting: The concentrated ore is heated strongly in a current of air on the
hearth of the reverberatory furnace. During roasting the following changes take
place.
(i) The pyrite is converted into cuprous sulphide and ferrous sulphide with evolution
of sulphur dioxide
2CuFeS2 + O2→ Cu2S + 2FeS + SO2
(ii) The sulphides of copper and iron are partially oxidized.
2FeS + 3O2→2FeO + 2SO2
2Cu2S +3O2→ 2Cu2O + 2SO2
(c) Smelting:The roasted ore is mixed with coke and silica and transferred to a small
blast furnace. The mixture is heated in the presence of excess of air. The
modern blast furnace is made of steel lined inside with refractory bricks and is
about 15 to 20 feet in height. It is water jacketed throughout and is provided
near the top with a waste gas outlet. The air blast enters the furnace through
tyeres. The following changes occur in the blast furnace.
(i) The cuprous oxide reacts with ferrous sulphide.
FeS + Cu2O →FeO + Cu2S
(ii) Most of the iron sulphide is oxidized to ferrous oxide.
2FeS + 3O2→2FeO + 2SO2
(iii) Ferrous oxide combines with silica and forms ferrous silicate. By this reaction
most of the iron is removed as slag.
FeO + SiO2→ FeSiO3
Ferrous silicate (Slag)
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The lowest point of the furnace consists of a shallow hearth in which the molten
mass collects which is known as ‘Matte’. The matte contains mostly cuprous
sulphide with a little iron sulphide.
(d) Bessemerisation: The matter obtained from smelting is transferred to a
Bessemer converter. Some sand (silica) is added and a blast of air is blown
through the molten mass.
(i) Remaining ferrous sulphide gets oxidized
2FeS + 3O2→ 2FeO + 2SO2
(ii) Ferrous oxide combines with silica to form slag which is drained out at intervals
by tilting the vessel. In about three hours’ time, all the iron is removed as
ferrous silicate.
FeO + SiO2→ FeSiO3 (Slag)
(iii) The blast of air is continued for almost another two hours. Excess of silica is
absorbed by basic lining of the converter and part of cuprous sulphide is oxidized
which combines with remaining cuprous sulphide to form free copper metal.
2Cu2S + 3O2→ 2Cu2O + 2SO2
Cu2S + 2Cu2O → 6Cu + SO2 (self reduction)
(e) Refining by poling:
The impure metal is melted in a reverberatory furnace lined with silica. A part of
copper metal is oxidized to cuprous oxide which dissolves in the melt and supplies
oxygen to the more basic elements contained in it as impurity.
FLOW SHEET FOR THE EXTRACTION OF COPPER
COPPER PYRITES
(CuFeS2)
Crushed and Sieved
Concentration by froth floatation
Powdered ore + water + pine oil + air ⎯→ sulphide ore in the froth
Rosting in reverberatory furnace in presence of air
S + O2 ⎯→ SO2; 2As + 3O2 ⎯→ 2As2O3
2CuFeS2 + O2 ⎯→ Cu2S + 2FeS + SO2
Sand + Coke
Smelting in blast furnace in presence of air
2FeS + 3O2 ⎯→ 2FeO + 2SO2; FeO + SiO2 ⎯→ FeSiO3 (slag)
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Slag Cu2O + FeS
(Matte)
Bessemerisation in bessemer converter in presence of air
2FeS + 3O2 ⎯→ 2FeO + 2SO2; FeO + SiO2 ⎯→ FeSiO3
2Cu2S + 3O2 ⎯→ 2Cu2O + 2SO2
Auto
2Cu2O + Cu2S ⎯⎯ ⎯ ⎯→ 6Cu + SO2
reduction
Blister copper (98% Cu + 2% impurities)
*Electrolytic refining
Anode–impure copper plates
Cathode-pure copper plates
Electrolyte -CuSO4 + H2SO4
Pure copper at cathode (99.9% pure)
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SESSION – 4
AIM
✓ To continue discussing the extraction of other metals
(2) IRON
Occurrence:
Iron is the fourth most abundant element and the second most abundant metal in
nature. It occurs in combined state. The main ores of iron are:
1. Oxide ores:
(i) Magnetite, Fe3O4. It is usually black in colour. It is richest ore of iron and
contains upto 70% of the metal.
(ii) Hematite, Fe2O3. It is usually red in colour.
(iii) Limonite or hydrated ferric oxide, Fe2O3.3H2O. It has yellow, brown or red
colour
2. Carbonate ore:
Siderite or spathic iron, FeCO3. It is also called clay-iron stone due to the
presence of excess of clay in it.
3. Sulphide ores:
(i) Iron pyrites, FeS2. It is mainly used for the manufacture of sulphur dioxide
(sulphuric acid). It is not used for extraction of iron.
(ii) Chalcopyrites, CuFeS2. It is used for the extraction of copper.
Varieties of Iron
Pig or Cast Iron
most impure form Wrought Iron Steel
2.5 – 5% carbon and other
impurities like Mn, Si, S and Purest form of iron
It is in between pig
P 0.2 – 0.5% carbon
iron and wrought iron.
It is hard and Brittle and Its is ductile, soft and
0.1 to 1.5% carbon
hence cannot be ferged or malleable.
moulded by hammering
Extraction of iron:
Iron is extracted from its oxide ores especially from the magnetite, hematite
and limonite ores. The extraction involves the following steps:
i) Concentration of ore: The concentration of ore is done by gravity process. The
ore is crushed to small pieces and washed with water to remove siliceous
impurities. The washed ore is then subjected to electromagnetic separation.
ii) Calcination and roasting: The concentrated ore are heated in excess of air. This
treatment produces the following results
a) Moisture and carbon dioxide are removed.
2 Fe2O3.3H2O →2Fe2O3 + 3H2O
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FeCO3→FeO + CO2
b) Sulphur, arsenic, etc., are oxidized to their oxides and are, thus, removed as
volatile gases.
S + O2→ SO2
4As + 3O2 ⎯⎯ → 2As2O3
c) Ferrous oxide is oxidized to ferric oxide.
2FeO + O2→Fe2O3
d) The entire mass becomes porous
iii) Smelting: The calcined ore is mixed with limestone (CaCO3) and coke in the ratio
of 8:1:4 and introduced in a blast furnace for smelting Blast furnace.
8:1:4 ratio of ore, limestone and coke is called as charge.
Blast furnace is a chimney like tall steel structure lined with fire bricks, 25-60
metre high and 8- 10 metre in diameter at its widest part.
The charge is introduced in the furnace by lowering the cup and cone
arrangement and at the same time the furnace is lit and a blast of hot air is sent
upwards through the tuyeres. The temperature varies from 16000C to 2500C in
the furnace from bottom to top. On the basis of variation in temperature, there
are four zones where different chemical changes occur. The four zones are.
1. Combustion zone: This is the lowest part of the furnace above hearth where the
temperature is about 15000 – 16000 C. In this zone carbon burns in presence of
hot air producing carbon dioxide and a lot of heat.
C + O2 → CO2 + 97.0 kcals
Carbon dioxide rises upwards and meets with red hot coke. It is reduced to
carbon monoxide.
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CO2 + C → 2CO
This reaction is endothermic and hence the temperature suddenly falls to about 12000C.
2. Reduction zone: This is the uppermost part of the furnace. The temperature
varies from 2500C to 7000C. The oxide ore is reduced to iron in this zone. The
reduction takes place through the following stages:
Fe2O3 + 3CO ⎯→ 2Fe + 3CO2
Other oxide of iron also get reduced.
FeO + CO ⎯→ Fe + CO2
Fe3O4 + 4CO ⎯→ 3Fe + 4CO2
Iron formed is called spongy iron. In the reduction reactions, heat is also evolved
which decomposes part of carbon monoxide into carbon.
2CO⎯→CO2 + C
3. Slag formation zone: This is the central zone where the temperature varies
from 800 – 1000C. The limestone present in the charge decomposes into calcium
oxide and carbon dioxide
CaCO3⎯→ CaO + CO2
The calcium oxide acts as a flux as it combines with silica present as an impurity
(gangue) to form a fusible slag of CaSiO3.
CaO + SiO2⎯→CaSiO3
Silicates, phosphates and manganates present as impurities in ore, are reduced to
Si, P and Mn, respectively.
P4 O10 + 10C ⎯→4P + 10CO
SiO2 + 2C ⎯→ Si + 2CO
MnO2 + 2C⎯→Mn + 2CO
These are partly absorbed by iron (spongy) and partly by slag.
2Ca3(PO3)2 + 3SiO2 + 10C⎯→3(2CaOSiO2) + 4P + 10CO
3Fe + P ⎯→Fe3P
4. Zone of fusion: This zone just above the zone of combustion. The temperature
ranges between 1200 – 15000C. The spongy iron which has absorbed already C,
Si, P, Mn, etc., melts at 13000C and collects at the bottom of the hearth.
The slag which being lighter floats over the molten iron and prevents the
oxidation of molten metal. The slag and molten metal are removed from their
respective holes. The molten metal is run into moulds and is allowed to solidify.
(Fe = 93% l C = 5% and impurities of Mn, P, Si etc. = 2% )
There are three commercial varieties of iron depending on their carbon content.
❖ The iron obtained from a blast furnace is called Pig Iron. (Contains 95% Fe, 4%
C and varying quantities of other impurities).
❖ Cast Iron can be obtained by pouring pig iron directly into the moulds of
desired shape. Cast Iron is very hard and brittle and can be used where it will not
be subjected to mechanical or thermal shock.
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❖ Wrought Iron is prepared by Puddling process in which cast iron is fused in a reverberatory
furnace, the hearth of which is lined with haemetite. Cast iron takes in puddling furnance
and metled by hot blast of air. The chemical reactions which occur are
S + O2 ⎯→ SO2 ; 3S + 2Fe2O3 ⎯→ 4Fe + 3SO2
3Si + 2Fe2O3 ⎯→ 4Fe + 3SiO2
Mn + Fe2O3 ⎯→ 2Fe + 3MnO
MnO + SiO2 ⎯→ MnSiO3 (slag)
3C + Fe2O3 ⎯→ 2Fe + 3CO
4P + 5O2 ⎯→ 2P2O5; Fe2O3 + P2O5 ⎯→ 2FePO4 (slag)
The impurities are removed from iron, the melting point of the metal rises and it
becomes a semi solid mass. Metal taken out from the furnace in the form of balls
with the help of the rabbles. The balls are then beaten under hammer to separate
out the slag. The product thus formed is called wrought iron.
FLOW SHEET FOR EXTRACTION OF IRON ORE
Pig iron
Remelted and cooled
Cast iron
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(3) GOLD & SILVER
They exist in their metallic forms in their ores. The extraction of these metals
involves both oxidation and reduction reactions.
Mac-Arthur-Forest Cyanide process: The powdered gold or silver ore, after
concentration by Forth-floatation process, is roasted to remove easily oxidizable
impurities of tellurium, arsenic and sulphur. The roasted ore is then treated with
a dilute solution of KCN in presence of atmospheric oxygen when silver or gold
dissolves due to the formation of an aurocyanide complex or argentocyanide
complex.
4Au + 8KCN + 2H2O + O2 → 4K [Au(CN)2] + 4KOH
Soluble
4Ag + 8KCN + 2H2O + O2 → 4K [Ag(CN)2] + 4KOH
Soluble
The insoluble impurities are separated by filtration. The solution is then treated
with zinc dust, which acts as a reducing agent, reducing the Au+ and Ag+ into Au
and Ag.
Zn can displace Au and Ag from their solutions as the electrode potential of Zn
is lower than that of Au and Ag.
2 K [Au(CN)2] + Zn → K2 [Zn(CN)4] + 2Au
ppt.
2 K [Ag(CN)2] + Zn → K2 [Zn(CN)4] + 2Ag
ppt.
(4) ZINC
Occurrence of zinc:
Zincite (ZnO)
Franklinite (ZnO, Fe2O3)
Zinc Blende (ZnS)
Calamine (ZnCO3)
Willemite (ZnSiO3, ZnO)
Electric Calamine (ZnSiO3, ZnO, H2O)
Principle
1. Concentration of Zinc blende (ZnS) by froth floatation process with pine oil
(foaming agent), sodium xanthate (collectors) and little acid. The oil forms froth
with air and at first galena rises to surface and are removed. Next the ZnS
particles are collected from the top.
2. Roasting: Temperature: 860 – 900C
2ZnS + 3O2 ⎯⎯→ 2ZnO + 2SO2
2ZnS + 2O2 ⎯⎯→ ZnSO4
2ZnSO4 ⎯⎯ ⎯→ 2ZnO + 2SO2 + O2
900 C
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3. Smelting - Carbon reduction
a) Belgian process
Raw material: Powdered coke (1/5 th weight of roasted ZnO)
Temperature: 1300 – 1400C
Heating process is carried out and Zn(vapour) is formed and condenses Blue
flame from the prolong is observed till the end of the reaction (due to formation
of CO).
ZnO + C ⎯⎯→ Zn + CO
4. Refining of Zn
Electrical refining is done by using impure Zn as the anode and ZnSO4 electrolyte
and pure Zn as the cathode. The following electrolysis reaction will take place.
ZnSO4 Zn+2 + SO4–2
Anode reaction: Zn – 2e ⎯⎯→ Zn+2
Cathode reaction: Zn+2 + 2e ⎯⎯→ Zn(s)
5. Alluminium
Important ores of aluminium
1. Bauxite Al2O32H2O (main source of Al)
2. Cryolite Na3AlF6
3. Feldspar K2OAl2O36SiO2 or KAlSi3O8
4. Mica K2O3Al2O36SiO22H2O
5. Corundum Al2O3
6. Alumstone or Alunite K2SO4Al2(SO4)34Al(OH)3
Purification of Bauxite
Bayer’s process Hall’s Process Serpeck’s process
This process is used for red (For Red Bauxite) This process is employed for
bauxite which contains relatively Al2O32H2O + Na2CO3 the purification of white
larger quantities of iron oxide as bauxite which contains silica
impurities. 2NaAlO2 + CO2 + 2H2O as the chief impurity. Ore is
Al2O32H2O + 2NaOH iron oxide and silica remain as powdered, mixed with coke
Bauxite residue. Sodium meta and heated to 2073 K in an
aluminate is heated and stream atmosphere of nitrogen
2NaAlO2 + 3H2O of CO2 passed through when Al2O32H2O + N2 + 3C→
Sodium meta aluminate (soluble) Al(OH)3 gets precipitated. 2AIN + 3CO + 2H2O
Ferric oxide remains insoluble 2NaAlO2 + 3H2O + CO2 Aluminium nitride
NaAlO2 + 2H2O SiO2 + 2C → Si + 2CO
2Al(OH)3 + Na2CO3 AlN+3H2O → Al(OH)3 + NH3
Al(OH)3 + NaOH
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Extraction
i) Purification of Bauxite - By Bayer’s process commercially it is being carried out (for
red bauxite not for the white bauxite).
Flow sheet of Bayer’s process for the preparation of pure Al2O3
Finely powdered bauxite
containing Fe2O3, TiO2.SiO2 as
impurities
Calcination (FeO ⎯→ Fe2O3)
Organic matters are removed
Calcined ore (Digested with 45%, NaOH with at
150C under 80 lb pr. Filtered)
Residue Filtrate
(Fe2O3, TiO2) (NaAlO2 + Na2SiO3)
Freshly prepared Al(OH)3 Seeding agent filtered
Precipitate Filtrate
(Al(OH)3 (NaOH, Na2SiO3)
1000C
Al2O3 Pure
Alumina
ii) Hall’s process - Crude bauxite at 1100C reacts with Na2CO3, little CaCO3 when
CaSiO3, NaSiO2, NaFeO2 etc. form
Al2O3 + Na2CO3 ⎯→ 2NaAlO2 + CO2
Fe2O3 + Na2CO3 ⎯→ 2NaFeO2 + CO2
SiO2 + Na2CO3 ⎯→ Na2SiO3 + CO2
CaO + SiO2 ⎯→ CaSiO3
Then at 50 – 60C CO2is passed through NaAlO2 solution and produces thereby
Al(OH)3. 2NaAlO2 + CO2 + 3H2O ⎯→ 2Al(OH)3 + Na2CO3
2Al(OH)3 ⎯⎯ ⎯
⎯→ Al2O3 + 3H2O
100 C
iii) Serpeck’s Process - Bauxite containing high percentage of silica can be purified by
Serpeck’s process. In this process finely powdered bauxite is mixedf with coke
and the mixture is heated to 1800C in a current of nitrogen. The AlN thus
obtained is reacted with hot and dilute NaOH, produced NaAlO 2 and excess AlN
is hydrolysed and Al(OH)3 is formed.
Al2O3 + 3C + N2 ⎯→ 3AlN + 3CO
SiO2 + 2C ⎯→ Si + 2CO
AlN +NaOH ⎯→ NaAlO2 + NH2+
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NaAlO2 + 2H2O ⎯→ Al(OH)3 + NaOH
AlN + 3H2O ⎯→ Al(OH)3 + NH3
2Al(OH)3 ⎯⎯ ⎯
⎯→ Al 2O3 + 3H2O
1100 C
( cryolite )
iv) Electrolytic reduction of Al2O3 - Pure alumina melts at about 2000C and is a bad
conductor of electricity. If fused cryolite AlF3.3NaF and CaF2 (Fluorspar) is
added the mixture melts at 900C and Al2O3 becomes a good conductor of
electricity. Metallic Al is liberated at the cathode
Electrolysis of molten mixture
Cathode : Carbon
Anode : Graphite rods
Electrolyte : 60 parts cryolite + 20 parts fluorspar + 20 parts pure Al2O3
Temperature : 900C
Reactions - According to the 1st theory the following reaction occurs
Al2O3 2Al+3 + 3O–2
At cathode : 2Al+3 + 6e ⎯→ 2Al
At anode : 3O–2 – 6e ⎯→3O2
The oxygen gas liberated at anode reacts with graphite anode and form CO2 gas,
so anode is to be replaced from time to time.
C(graphite) + O2 (g) -------→ CO2(g) .
The pure aluminium (Al) is collected from the cathode from time to time.
As cryolite has greater electrochemical stability it does not dissociate. It only
increases the dissociation of Al2O3.
But the second theory states that, cryolite undergoes electrolytic dissociation
first then Al+3 goes to the cathode, produced F2 at anode then reacts with Al2O3
produces AlF3.
AlF3.3NaF Al+3 + 3Na+ + 6F–
At cathode : Al+3 + 3e ⎯→ Al
At anode : 6F– – 6e ⎯→ 3F2
Al2O3 + 6F2 ⎯→ 4AlF3 + 3O2
Refining of aluminium - The aluminium metal obtained by the electrolysis of fused
almina is about 99.5% pure. It can be further refined by Hoope’s electrolytic process
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USES OF ALUMINIUM
1. Aluminium, being very light, is used in household utensils, aeroplane parts,
precision and surgical instruments etc.
2. Since it is unattacked by nitric acid, is used in chemical plants and also for
transporting nitric acid.
3. Aluminium foil is used for packing chocolates, cigarettes etc.
4. Alums are used as mordents in dyeing and points.
5. Mixed with oil, it is used in steam piped and other metal objects.
6. It is used as a reducing agent for the production of certain metals such as
chromium, iron, manganese etc.
7. Alumina is used for making refractory bricks and ultramarine.
Alloys - A metallic product containing two or more metals or sometimes one of the
ingredients a non–metal provided that the mixture is homogenous and possesses metallic
properties, is known as an alloy. Alloys are usually prepared by melting two or more
metals together in the proportions and then allowing the melting to solidify. If one of
the metals is mercury the alloy is known as amalgam.
Alloys are prepared with a view to impart some desirable properties which the individual metals do not
possess. These are,
(1) Change in the chemical reactivity: Sodium acts vigorously with water, but Na–Hg
amalgam reacts slowly to suit the requirement of a number of chemical reactions.
(2) Hardness: Silver, gold and soft metals but become hard when alloyed with copper.
(3) Melting Points: Melting points of an alloy may be higher or lower than any of its
components. Wood-metal, which is an alloy of Bi, Pb, Sn and Cd fuses at 60.5oC., while none
of these metals fuses at this low temperature.
(4) Change of colour: Aluminium bronze is an alloy of aluminium and copper. It is of golden,
yellow colour and is used in making decoration articles, jewellery and coins while the colour
of aluminium is white and that of copper is red.
(5) Corrosion resistance: Iron gets corroded soon whereas stainless Steel, an alloy of iron
and chromium, resists corrosion.
(6) Casting: An alloy of lead and antimony is known as type metal is used for casting type
required in printing works.
TYPES OF ALLOYS
Alloys of Aluminium
Alloy Percentage Important Properties Uses
Aluminium Al 95% Light, strong alloy with golden lustre, Coins, utensils, jewellary picture
bro Cu 5% resistant to corrosion frames etc.
nze
Magnalium Al 95% Light, tough and strong Light instruments, balance
Mg 5% beam, pressure cookers
etc.
Duralumin Al 95% Light, tough, ductile, resistant to Making aeroplanes automobile
Cu 4% corrosive action parts pressure cookers
Mg 0.5% etc.
Mn 0.5%
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Alloys of Silver
Alloy Percentage composition Uses
Coinage silver Ag = 90, Cu = 10 For making silver coins.
Silver solder Ag = 63, Cu = 30, Zn = 7 For soldering and joining metals
Dental alloy Ag = 33, Hg = 52, Sn = 12.5, Cu = 2.0, Zn For filling teeth
= 0.5
Silver palladium Ag = 40, Pd = 60 Potentiometers and winding of
some special instruments.
Important Conceptual questions and answers:
1Q. Give the name and composition of the ore chosen for extraction of aluminium.(1 Mark)
(Ans) The ore chosen for the extraction of aluminium is bauxite and its composition is
Al2O3.xH2O.
2Q. What is leaching? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Leaching is the process of extracting a substance from a solid by dissolving it in a liquid.
In metallurgy leaching is used for the ores that are soluble in a suitable solvent.
3Q. Why are cryolite and fluorospar added to alumina during electrolytic reduction?(1
Mark)
(Ans) Cryolite and fluorospar are added to alumina during elctrolytic reduction to reduce the
melting point of alumina and to increase its conductivity.
4Q. Reduction with C for Cu2O can be done at a lower temperature than ZnO. Why? (1 M)
(Ans) In the ellingham diagram the curve for Cu2O lies higher than ZnO i.e. for the reduction of
Cu2O with C the negative value of gibbs energy can be reached at a lower temparature
than ZnO.
5Q. Although thermodynamically feasible in practice magnesium metal is not used for the
reduction of alumina. Why? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Magnesium can reduce alumina at the temperature above 15000c (The intersection point
of the curves for Al2O3 and MgO in the Gibbs Energy vs T plot (ellingham diagram)). But
the temperature at which this is feasible is too high to be achieved economically and is
also technologically difficult. So this reduction is not done.
6Q. Define Metallurgy. (1 Mark)
(Ans) Metallurgy is the process of extraction of metals from their ores that includes various
steps.
7Q. Why is hydraulic washing a type of gravity separation? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The process of hydraulic washing is based on the differences in gravity of the ore and
the gangue particles and so is known as gravity separation.
8Q. What is the use of van Arkel method? (1 Mark)
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(Ans) Van Arkel method is used for removal of impurities like oxygen and nitrogen from the
metals like zirconium and titanium.
9Q. How is distillation used for metal refining? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Distillation is used for the metals with boiling point lower then the impurities. So the
metals can be evaporated and separately obtained as distillate.
10Q. Why do the anodes used in the elctrolytic cell for the reduction of alumina need to
be replaced regularly? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The oxygen liberated at the anode during the reduction of alumina, reacts with the
carbon of the anode to form CO and CO burning away the anode and hence the anodes
need to be replaced.
11Q. What is the role of depressant in froth floatation process? (1 Mark)
(Ans) In froth floatation process the depressant selctively prevents one of the ores from
coming to the froth in a mixture of two ores hence enabling the separation of the other
one with the froth.
12Q. State the role of silica in the matallurgy of copper. (1 Mark)
(Ans) Silica in the metallurgy of copper helps in the removal of iron oxide as iron silicate (slag).
13Q. What is the role of graphite rods in the electrometallurgy of aluminium? (1 Mark)
(Ans) In the electrometallurgy of aluminium graphite rods act as anodes in the electrolytic cell
of reduction and are the site for release of oxygen.
14Q. What is refining of metals? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Refining of metal is the process of purification of a metal extracted from its ore.
15Q. What is vapour phase refining? (1 Mark)
(Ans) Vapour phase refining is the method of metal refining by changing the metal into volatile
compound that can be collected separately leaving behind the impurities and can be
decomposed to give the pure metal
16Q. Give the principle underlying the process used for refining of gallium. (1 Mark)
(Ans) The process used for the refining of gallium is zone refining and the principle underlying
it is that the impurities are more soluble in the melt than in the solid state of the metal.
17Q. State the principle on which the chromatographic methods of metal refining are
based? (1 M)
(Ans) Chromatographic methods of metal refining are based on the principle that different
components of a mixture are differently adsorbed on an adsorbent.
18Q. Which is the purest form of iron and what are its uses? (1 Mark)
(Ans) The purest form of iron is wrought iron and is used in making anchors, wires, bolts etc.]
19Q. What are minerals and how are they different from ores? (2 Marks)
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(Ans) Minerals are the naturally occurring chemical substances in the earth’s crust obtained by
mining. It is different from ores, as ores are the minerals that are used for the
extraction of metals profitably.
20Q. Name one ore each for iron and copper and give their chemical compositions.(2
Marks)
(Ans) The ore of iron is haematite- Fe2O3 and the ore for copper is copper pyrites- CuFeS2.
21Q. What is the purpose of adding collectors and froth stabilisers during froth
floatation? Give an example for each. (2 Marks )
(Ans) During froth floatation process collectors like pine oil and fatty acids are added to
enhance non wettability of the mineral particles and the froth stabilisers like cresol and
aniline stabilise the froth.
22Q. How can the ores ZnS and PbS be separated from a mixture using froth floatation
process? (2 Marks )
(Ans) During the froth floatation process a depressent like NaCN is added to the tank. The
depressent selectively prevents ZnS from coming to the froth but allows PbS to come to
the froth and hence helps the separation of PbS with the froth.
23Q. Give the equations involved in the concentration of bauxite ore. (2 Marks )
(Ans) i) Al2O3(s) + 2NaOH + 3H2O 2Na[Al(OH)4](aq)
ii) 2Na[Al(OH)4](aq) + CO2(g) Al2O3.xH2O(s) + 2NaHCO3
iii) Al2O3.xH2O(s) Al2O3(s) + xH2
24Q. Why is coke preferred over CO for reducing FeO? (2 Marks )
(Ans) According to ellingham diagram the point of intersection of the curves of C, CO and Fe,
FeO lies at temperature lower than that of the point of intersection of CO, CO2 and Fe,
FeO curves. This means the reduction of FeO will occur at much lower temperature with C
than with CO. So C is preferred to CO for reduction.
25Q. How is cast iron different from pig iron? (2 Marks )
(Ans) Pig iron has 4% carbon and can be easily cast into varity of shapes. Whereas cast iron has
lower carbon content and is extremely hard and brittle.
26Q. Give the reactions involved in the reduction of iron oxide to give iron in a blast
furnace. (3 M )
(Ans) The reactions are as follows:
C + O2 CO2
CaCO3 CaO + CO2
CO2+ C CO
3Fe2O3 + CO Fe3O4 +CO2
Fe3O4 + CO 3FeO + CO2
FeO +CO Fe + CO2
FeO + C Fe + CO
CaO + SiO2 CaSiO3
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27Q. How is copper extracted from low grade ores and scraps? (3 Marks )
(Ans) For extraction of copper from low grade ores and scraps the ore is first leached out using
acid or bacteria. The solution containing Cu2+ is treated with scarp iron or H2 and Cu is
obtained.
Cu2+(aq) + H2(g) = Cu(s) + 2H+(aq)
Cu2+ + Fe = Cu(s) + Fe2+
28Q. How is nickel refined? (3 Marks )
(Ans) Nickel is refined by Mond process which is based upon vapour phase refining.
In this process nickel is heated in stream of carbon monoxide giving a volatile complex,
leaving the impurities behind. The complex is further subjected to higher temperature so
that it gets decomposed to giving pure metal.330-350K
Ni + 4CO --------------> Ni(CO)4
450-470K
Ni(CO)4 ------------------> Ni + 4CO
Section C: CBSE sample paper, Question and answer:
1Q: Account for the following facts:
a) The reduction of a metal oxide is easier if the metal formed is in liquid state at the
temperature of reduction.
b) The reduction of Cr2O3 with Aluminium is thermodynamically feasible, yet it does not
occur at room temperature.
c) Pine oil is used in Froth floatation method. (CBSE –SAM Paper-1 – 3M)
Ans: a) This is because if the metal is in liquid state, its entropy is higher than when it is in
solid state. When the metal oxide (solid state) reduced to metal (liquid state), the
entropy increases.
MO(s) → M(l), ∆S0 = +ve
We know, ∆G0=∆H0 -T∆S0, the ∆G0 becomes more negative, and hence reduction
occurs easier.
b) The reduction of Cr2O3 with Al is thermodynamically, feasible, because ∆G is negative.
Cr2O3 + Al --→ Al2O3 + Cr, ∆G = -ve.
By increasing temperature, fraction of activated molecules increase which help in
crossing over the energy barriers.
c) Pine oil enhances non-wetting property of ore particles and acts as a froth collector.
2Q: An Ore sample of Gelena (PbS) is contaminated with Zinc blend (ZnS). Name one chemical
whichcan be used to concentrate galena selectively by Froth floatation method.
(CBSE–SAMPaper2-1M)
Ans: NaCN (sodium cyanide) is used as depressant.
3Q: Free energies of formation (∆fG) of MgO (l) and CO(g) at 1273K and 2273K are given
below.
∆fG (MgO(s)) = - 941 kj/mol at 1273K, ∆fG(MgO(s)) = -314 KJ/mol at 2273K,
∆fG(CO(g)) = -439KJ/mol at 1273K, ∆fG(CO(g)) = -628KJ/mol at 2273K.
On the basis of above data, predict the temperature at which carbon can be used as a
reducing agent for MgO (s). (CBSE –SAM Paper-2 – 2M)
Ans: Reduction of MgO (s) with carbon can be written as MgO (s) + C (s) --→ Mg(s) + CO (g)
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∆rG= ∆fG(products) -∆fG(reactants)
∆rG= ∆fG(CO(g)) -∆fG(MgO(s))
At 1273K, ∆rG = (-439) – (-941) =502Kj/mol, i.e ∆rG > 0
At 2273K, ∆rG = (-628)-(-314) = -314Kj/mol, i.e ∆rG < 0
At 2273K, ∆rG < 0 So, the reaction is spontaneous.
4Q: (a) Name the method used for refining of i) Nickel ii) Zirconium
b) The extraction of Au by leaching with NaCN involves both Oxidation and Reduction.
Justify giving equations. (CBSE –SAM Paper-3
– 3M)
Ans: a) i) Mond’s process ii) Van Arkel Method.
b) Step 1: Gold is leached with NaCN solution in the presence of oxygen. It is an oxidation
reaction.
4Au (s) + 8 CN- + 2 H2O (l) + O2 (g) --→ 4 [Au (CN)2] - + 4 OH –
Step 2: The Cyano complex is treated with the highly reactive metal Zn, to remove Gold.
This is a reduction reaction.
4 [Au (CN)2] - + Zn --→ 4 [Zn (CN)4] -2 + 2 Au(s)
5Q: On what principle froth floatation process is carried for sulphide ores?
(CBSE–SAM Paper-4 – 1M)
Ans: Wetting of Ore particles with the oil and the impurities with water.
6Q: Account for the following (CBSE –SAM Paper-4 –
2M)
a) Mond process for refining of Ni metal b) Zone refining
Ans: a) Nickel is refined by Mond process which is based upon vapour phase refining.
In this process nickel is heated in stream of carbon monoxide giving a volatile complex,
leaving the impurities behind. The complex is further subjected to higher temperature
so that it gets decomposed to giving pure metal.330-350K.
Ni + 4CO --------------> Ni(CO)4
450-470K
Ni(CO)4 ------------------> Ni + 4CO
b) Principle: The impurities are more soluble in the melt than in the solid state of the
metal.
Method: Circular mobile heater is fixed at one end of a rod of the impure metal. The
molten zone moves along with the heater which is moved forward. As the heater
moves forward, the pure metal crystallises out of the melt and the impurities
pass on into the adjacent molten zone. The process is repeated several times
and the heater is moved in the same direction. At one end, impurities get
concentrated. This end is cut off.
7Q: What chemical principle is involved in choosing a reducing agent for getting the metal from
its oxide Ore? Considering the metal oxides, Al2O3 and Fe2O3, and justify the choice of
reducing agent in each case. (CBSE –2008 – 3M)
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Ans: In choosing the reducing agents for the reduction of metal oxides in to metal, a chemical
principle like Thermodynamic principle i.e Gibbs energy involved. For the reduction process
to be spontaneous ∆rG value is less than zero at a given temperature.
Metal oxide + Reducing agent --→ Metal, ∆rG < 0
i) In an Ellingams diagram MgO line is below Al2O3 line so, Al2O3, can be reduced by the
metal Mg which acts as a reducing agent. Thermodynamically the reaction is favarouble
(∆rG <0)
ii) Fe2O3, can be reduced to Fe with the help of reducing agent Carbon monoxide below
1273K in a blast furnace. Thermodynamically the reaction is favarouble (∆rG <0)
8Q; State the basis of refining a substance by chromatographic method. Under what
circumstances is this method specially useful? (CBSE –Suply -2008 – 3M)
Ans: This method is based on difference in extent of adsorption of different components of a
mixture on an adsorbent. The mixture is put in a liquid which is moved through the
adsorbent, different components are adsorbed at different levels in the column. Later the
adsorbed components are removed by using suitable solvents.
Column chromatography is useful for purification of elements which are available in minute
quantities and the impurities are not very different in chemical properties from the
element to be purified.
9Q: The choice of a reducing agent in a particular case depends on thermodynamic factor. How
far do you agree with this statement? Support your opinion with two examples.
(CBSE–SAM Paper-5 – 3M)
Ans: It is true that choice of a reducing agent in a particular case depends on thermodynamic
factor.
For the reducing of metal oxide in to its metal, a suitable reducing agent is required, if
the ∆rG for the coupling reaction is less than zero, then the reaction is feasible.
Ex: 1) At 1000K
Cr2O3 + 2 Al --→ Al2O3 + Cr, ∆rG = -Ve
2MgO + 2 Al --→ Al2O3 + 3 Mg, ∆rG = +ve
Thus, Al is correct choice for the reduction of Cr2O3 and not for MgO.
2) At 1500K,
ZnO + C --→ Zn + CO, ∆rG = -Ve
ZnO + CO -→ Zn + CO2, ∆rG = +Ve
Thus, coke (carbon) is correct choice for the reduction of ZnO to Zn.
10Q. What is vapour phase refining? What are the necessary requirements for the
compound to be purified by vapour phase refining? (CBSE–SAM Paper-6 – 2M)
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Ans. Vapour phase refining, the metal is converted into volatile compound and collected.
Then it is decomposed separately to obtain pure metal.
Two necessary requirements for a compound to be purified by vapour phase refining are:-
(i) The metal should form a volatile compound with a common reagent
(ii)The compound should be easily decomposable.
11Q. Why does CaO react with SiO2 to form a slag? (CBSE–SAM Paper-6 – 1M)
Ans. CaO is basic oxide and SiO2 is acidic oxide. It is an example of acid –base reaction
Q. Explain the following:-
(a) Role of cresols in froth flotation method.
(b) Significance of leaching in extraction of silver. (CBSE–SAM Paper-7 – 3M)
Ans. (a) It acts as froth stabilizer and stabilizes the froth.
(b) Leaching of silver ore converts it into soluble cyanide complex from where the metal
is extracted by distillation with zinc.
12Q. What is meant by the term “chromatography”? (CBSE–SAM Paper-8 – 1M)
Ans. This method firstly used for the separation of coloured substances (plant pigments) into
individual components. But nowadays this method is widely used for separation,
purification, identification and characterization of the components of a mixture whether
coloured or colourless.
13Q. How will you differentiate in between ‘roasting and calcination’?
(CBSE–SAM Paper-8 – 2M)
Ans. Roasting:- The process of converting a sulphide ore into its metallic oxide by heating
strongly below its melting point in excess of air is called roasting.
2ZnS + 3O2 2ZnO + 2SO2(g)
Calcination:- The process of converting carbonates and hydroxides ores of metals to their
respective oxides by heating them strongly below their melting points either in
absence or limited supply of air is called calcination.
Fe2O3.3H2O Fe2O3 + 3H2O
CaCO3 CaO + CO2
14Q. (a) What is the meant by the term electrolytic refining?
(b) What is the signification of leaching in the extraction of Aluminium?
(CBSE–SAM Paper-9 – 3M)
Ans. (a) This method is used for the purification of very reactive metals like Zn, Al, Ni etc.
In this method, the impure metal is attached to anode while cathode is made up of a pure
metal rod. These electrodes are suspended in an metal salt solution (electrolyte).
When electricity is passed through in metal salt solution, the pure metal transfer from
anode to cathode via electrolyte. The impurities remains near the anode, this is called
anode mud.
(b) Aluminium usually contains silica, iron oxide and titanium oxide as impurities.
These impurities can be removed by the process of leaching.
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During leaching, the powdered bauxite ore is heated with a concentrated solution
of NaOH at 473-523K, when alumina dissolves as sodium meta-aluminate and silica as
sodium silicate leaving the impurities.
Thus, the signification of leaching in the extraction of aluminium is to prepare pure
alumina from the bauxite ore.
15Q. (a) Copper and silver lie below in the electrochemical series and yet they are found
in the combined state as sulphides in nature. Comment.
(b) Describe froth floatation process. (CBSE–SAM Paper-10 – 3M)
Ans. (a) Due to high polarizing power of Cu and Ag ions, their sulphides are more stable than
the metals.
(b) This method is widely used for the concentration of sulphides ores. In this method,
we take the mixture of powdered ore, water, pine oil and xanthates in tank and
fitted a below pipe in the tank. Below the air with help of below pipe, froth is
formed in the tank. Light ores particles go with the froth and heavy gangue particles
at the bottom of the tank. Skimmed off the concentrated ores particles washed
with water and dry it. This ore is called concentrated ore.
16Q. Name the chief ore of silver. Describe with chemical equations the extraction of
silver from this ore. (CBSE–SAM Paper-11 – 3M)
Ans. Silver glance (Argentite), Ag2S is the chief ore of silver. The method involves leaching
of the crude metal or ore with sodium cyanide solution (0.5% or less concentration)
through which air is blown.
2Ag2S + 8CN- + O2 + 2H2O → 4[Ag(CN)2]- + 2S + 4OH-
Silver goes into solution as complex cyanide and the pure metal is precipitated by
addition of zinc.
2[Ag(CN)2]- + Zn → [Zn (CN)4]2- + 2Ag(s)
ACTIVE SITE EDUTECH - 9844532971
Section –D : Higher Order Questions for high achievers:
Q1. In the extraction of Copper, a process called “Poling” is used. Explain the process “poling”.
Q2. How do non-metals occur in nature? Illustrate with an example.
Q3. How does NaCN act as a depressant in preventing ZnS from forming the froth?
Q4. Name the chief ore of Iron. How is the pig iron converted in to Steel? Describe any one
method of steel making in details.
Q5. What do you understand by terms “Quenching” and “Tempering” ?
Q6. Explain the term “Smelting process” with an example.
Q7. Which method would you suggest for the separation of the metals in the following
mixtures.
i) Copper and Magnesium ii) Copper and Zinc iii) Rare earth elements.
Q8. What is Ellingams diagram? What are its important features? How it helps in selection of
proper reducing agent and temperature during reduction of an Ore?
SECTION - A
School/Board Exam. Type Questions
Very Short Answer Type Questions :
1. A vitamin (of B-complex group) contains metal in it. Name the vitamin and the metal present in it.
Sol. Vitamin B-12, Metal is cobalt (Co).
2. Which metal is commonly used to displace silver and gold from their complexes Na[Ag(CN)2] and K[Au(CN)2]?
Sol. It is zinc metal.
3. Write the equation of displacement of Ag+ from Na[Ag(CN)2] by zinc dust.
Sol. 2Na[Ag(CN)2] + Zn Na2[Zn(CN)4] + 2Ag
4. Write the formulae of two sulphide ores and name them.
Sol. CuFeS2 – Chalcopyrites
ZnS – Zinc blende
5. In a metallurgical process, low fusible substance slag is formed. Name two substances which can form slag
and write the equation of chemical reaction.
Sol. Silica impurity in haematite reacts with CaO flux to give slag.
CaO + SiO2
CaSiO3
Slag
6. Write main equations of Bessemer converter in the metallurgy of copper that yields copper.
Sol. Cu2 S + 2Cu2 O 6Cu + SO2
Partially
roasted ore
7. Write the importance of roasting of sulphide ore.
Sol. The product is oxide of metal with high surface area. Volatile impurities leave the ore.
2 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-1)
8. Write two main uses of aluminium.
Sol. Al is used for making silver paint and parts of machines.
9. Which elements are purified to about 100% purity?
Sol. Semiconductors are purified to 99.999% (five nine) purity.
10. Which diagrams are generally used to know the reducing agent used for a specific oxide of a metal?
Sol. Ellingham diagrams
Short Answer Type Questions :
11. Write a brief note on froth floatation method.
Sol. Froth floatation process : This method is based on different wetting properties of ore particles and gangue
particles with water and oil. This method uses:
(a) Water.
(b) Pine oil or eucalyptus oil to produce foam and work as collector / transforming agent.
(c) Cresols or aniline to stabilise foam.
S
(d) Xanthate (commonly employed xanthate is potassium ethyl xanthate C2H5 – O – C – S K+ collector to
increase wetting of sulphide ore.
(e) Depressants and activators to collect the required sulphide part from the ore. For example Galena contains
a good quantity of ZnS with PbS. NaCN is used to convert most of ZnS into water soluble complex
Na2[Zn(CN4)].
The powdered ore is put in a tank containing a stirrer, a device of passing compressed air and all the above
material. Foam produced takes the sulphide ore by wetting it to the surface. It is washed with acidulated water
to collect the ore.
Rotating paddle
Air
Mineral froth
Pulp of ore + oil
Paddle draws in air
and stirs the pulp
Enlarged view of an air bubble showing
mineral particles attached to it
Froth floatation process (schematic)
12. Describe with proper diagram of the device used, the magnetic method of purification of ores.
Sol. Magnetic separation : This method is employed to separate the magnetic and non-magnetic components
present in the ore by carrying the powdered ore on a conveyer belt passing over an electromagnetic roller. The
non-magnetic part is thrown away while the magnetic part makes a heap below the magnet. For example,
magnetic impurity of wolframite (FeWO4) is separated from tin stone (the ore of tin). Other cases are chromite
ore FeO.Cr2O3, magnetite Fe3O4, pyrolusite MnO2, etc. are magnetic.
Solution of Assignment (Set-1) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 3
Finely ground ore
Magnetic roller
Magnetic
particles
Non-magnetic
particles
Magnetic separation (schematic)
13. Discuss in brief the gravity separation method for the purification of oxide ores.
Sol. Hydraulic washing (gravity separation method)
This method is employed to purify heavier ore such as oxides (e.g., haematite, tin stone etc.), carbonates
(e.g., calamine, malachite, etc.), native gold, etc.
The ore is washed with running water using big tubs or wilfley table that has sluices (grooves). The lighter
impurities are washed away and the heavier particles of the ore settle down.
14. Giving proper equation of reactions, describe the Baeyer's method of leaching of bauxite ore.
Sol. Leaching : It is the method of collecting the required metal from an ore, in the form of aqueous solution of
its some compound, by treating the ore with acid or base or some other reagent. In Bayer’s process, for red
bauxite, the ore is continuously stirred with 45% NaOH at 200–250°C to collect the solution of sodium meta
aluminate NaAlO2 or NaAl(OH)4. It is then diluted and kept with Al(OH)3 (suds) for about 36 hours at 25–50°C
to convert it to Al(OH)3 (ppt). Ignition of Al(OH)3 at 1200°C produces Al2O3.
Al2O3 .2H2O + 2NaOH
45 % NaOH
200–250°C
2NaAlO2 + 3H2O
(or Al2O32H2O + 2NaOH 2NaAl (OH)4 + H2O)
Al(OH)3
NaAlO2 + H 2O
36 hrs/25–30°C
Al(OH)3 + NaOH
1200°C
Al(OH)3 Al2 O3 + 3H2 O
Allumina
White bauxite is generally heated with coke in the presence of N2 gas : Serpeck's method. AlN, produced is
reacted with water to produce Al(OH)3 which on heating gives Al2O3.
Al2O3 + N2 + 3C 3CO + 2 AlN
AlN + 3H2O NH3 + Al (OH)3
15. Why are sulphide ores converted to oxide form before their reduction to metal? Discuss.
Sol. Conversion of Ore to Oxide Form : Sulphide ores thermodynamically more stable than CS2 and hence
cannot be converted by using coke (general and common reducing agent) as reducing agent. Moreover CO2
is more volatile and thermodynamically more stable than CS2. Thus all means that fG° of a metal sulphide
is not compensated by the energy of reaction of metal sulphide with coke.
Hence, it is better to convert the sulphide ore to oxide form and then apply smelting, i.e., carbon reduction
method. Conversion of sulphide ore into metal oxide is carried out by roasting.
4 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-1)
Roasting : Sulphide ores are generally roasted in reverberatory furnace in free supply of air below melting point.
Ore changes to oxide with larger surface area and volatile impurities are removed.
∆
2 ZnS + 3O2 2 ZnO + 2 SO2
∆
2 PbS + 3O2 2 PbO + 2 SO2
16. Write similarities and differences between calcination and roasting.
Sol. Calcination : Ores, which are oxides, carbonates, basic carbonate, etc. are heated below m.p. without taking
care of the amount of air to remove volatile impurities, increase the surface area for further reaction to produce
metals.
Fe2O3 . x H2O(s)
Fe2O3 (s) + x H2O
ZnCO3 (s) ZnO(s) + CO2
Roasting : Sulphide ores are generally roasted in reverberatory furnace in free supply of air below melting point.
Ore changes to oxide with larger surface area and volatile impurities are removed.
∆
2 ZnS + 3O2 2 ZnO + 2 SO2
∆
2 PbS + 3O2 2 PbO + 2 SO2
17. When is hydrogen gas used for reducing metal oxide to metal? Give suitable examples also.
Sol. Reduction by H2
Though, the use of H2 is expensive and not very safe. Yet H2 is used as reducing agent when carbon becomes
ineffective for reduction.
WO3 + 3H2 W + 3H2O
NiO + H2 Ni + H2O
H2 cannot reduce Al2O3 and B2O3.
18. Discuss in brief the Gold Schmidt thermite method.
Sol. Gold Schmidt alumino thermy process
Oxides of magnese, chromium, iron, etc. can be reduced by using aluminium powder as reducing agent. A
mixture of BaO2 and Mg is used as ignition mixture to supply heat.
3Mn3O4 + 8Al 4Al2O3 + 9Mn
19. Describe with equations, slag formation in blast furnace in the metallurgy of iron.
Sol. Zone of slag formation : Slagging operation takes place at about 1273 K.
CaCO3 CaO + CO2
CaO + SiO2 (Impurity) CaSiO3 (slag)
At the base molten iron is collected under the slag. This iron is called Pig Iron and contains about 4% carbon
with many other impurities like, S, P, Si, Mn, etc.
Solution of Assignment (Set-1) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 5
20. How are pig iron and cast iron different from each other? How is cast iron converted to wrought iron?
Sol. Cast Iron : It is hard but brittle form of raw iron produced by melting and cooling of pig iron. Fast cooling keeps
the impurity of carbon as graphite and its colour is grey. Slow cooling converts most of the carbon into
cementite Fe3C and the colour becomes white. The carbon content in cast iron comes down to about 3%.
Wrought iron or malleable iron : It is prepared by heating cast iron in reverberatory furnace lined with
haematite which oxidises carbon to CO. Lime stone is added to remove Si, S and P as slag. The wrought
iron is separated from slag by passing through rollers. It is the purest form of iron and contains carbon only
upto 0.5 %.
21. Giving Ellingham diagrams, decide the use of reducing agent to reduce Fe2O3 to Fe.
Sol. Extraction of iron : In Ellingham diagram, the graph of CO CO2 conversion remains below Fe Fe2O3
upto 1073K (for Fe FeO). So, CO(g) acts as reducing agent upto this temperature.
3Fe2 O3 + CO 2Fe3O4 (i.e., FeOFe2O3) + CO2
Fe3O4 + CO 3FeO + CO2
FeO + CO Fe + CO2
Also, graph of C CO is below the graph of Fe Fe2O3 after 1073K. So, carbon acts as reducing agent
above this temperature.
Fe2O3 + C 3CO + 2Fe
–100
–200 2Cu2O
4Cu + O 2
FeO
–300 O2
2
2Fe + C + O2 CO2
–400
2CO 2
+ O2
–500 2CO 2C +
O 2 C
nO O
O2 2Z
–600 2Zn +
–700 A
–800
O3
/3Al 2
2
–900 l + O2
4/3A
–1000 2M
gO
O2
2Mg +
–1100
–1200
0°C 400°C 800°C 1200°C 1600°C 2000°C
273 k 673 k 1073 k 1473 k 1873 k 2273 k
Temperator
22. Describe the electrochemical principle related to the extraction of metals.
Sol. (i) Electrochemical principle of metallurgy. For simple electrolysis when a salt in molten form is
electrolysed using suitable electrodes, metal ion Mn+ is deposited at cathode. Sometimes a suitable extra
compound is also used as flux to make the melt more conducting.
6 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-1)
(ii) When a metal and salt solution (aq) of some other metal are brought in contact, the reaction will take
place and E°reduction is positive. For ‘n’ being electrons exchanged.
F = 96500C, G° will be negative.
G° = – nFE°
(iii) Electrolysis of molten NaCl gives Na metal and Cl2 gas Electrolysis of aqueous NaCl using Hg cathode
and graphite anode gives Na at cathode and Cl2 at anode. Electrolysis of aqueous NaCl using Pt electrodes
will produce H2, Cl2 and NaOH.
2Cl–(aq) + 2H2O(l) 2OH–(aq) + H2(g) + Cl2(g)
23. Discuss in brief the metallurgy of aluminium.
Sol. Extraction of Aluminium ( Electrometallurgy)
Bauxite Al2O22H2O is converted to alumina (purified Al2O3) by leaching [already discussed in IV (s)].
Carbon
anode Copper
clamp
Iron
Carbon lining
Molten Al2O3 + NaAl3F4 (cathode)
Outlet for
aluminium
Molten aluminium
Electrolytic cell for the extraction of aluminium
A mixture of 3-5% Al2O3, 3-8% CaF2 (Flux), 80-85% cryolite, Na3AlF6 (main electrolyte) and 3-8% AlF3 is
electrolysed using steel cathode and graphite anode. Molten Al (99.5% pure) is tapped from the bottom. The
method is commonly known as Hall Heroult method. The reaction can be written as
Cathode : Al3+ (melt) + 3e– Al(l)
Anode : C(s) + O2– (melt) CO(g) + 2e–
C(s) + 2O2– (melt) CO2(g) + 4e–
The overall reaction is
2Al2O3 + 3C 4Al + 3CO2
* For the production of about 1 kg of Al, about 0.5 kg of carbon of anode is used up.
24. Describe in brief the metallurgy of silver from argentite.
Sol. Extraction of Ag from argentite or silver glance (Ag2S) : The same method as mentioned above, is used.
In the absence of O2, the reaction is reversible.
Ag2S + 4NaCN + 2O2 Na2SO4 + 2Na[Ag(CN)2]
2Na[Ag(CN)2] + Zn Na2 [Zn(CN)4] + 2Ag
The process is commonly known as Macarthur Forrest cyanide method.
Solution of Assignment (Set-1) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 7
25. With proper diagram of the apparatus used, discuss electrorefining of copper.
Sol. Electrorefining : In this method, blocks of impure metal are taken at anode and strips of pure metal at cathode.
Electrolyte is aqueous solution of some suitable salt of the same metal. On passing current, impure metal
from anode gives metal ions into the solution and from the solution the metal ions produce metal at cathode.
Sometimes the waste under the anode (anode mud) may contain precious metals, as in case of copper, the
anode mud may contain gold and silver.
+ –
Impure Cu Pure Cu
(anode) (cathode)
Acidified
CuSO4 Anode mud
At anode Cu Cu++ + 2e –
(Impure)
At cathode Cu++ + 2e – Cu
(Pure)
26. Why do CaO and SiO2 react to form slag?
Sol. CaO is basic oxide and SiO2 is acidic oxide.
CaO + SiO2 CaSiO3.
27. Why is the reduction of metal oxide easier if the metal is formed in liquid state?
Sol. Liquid metal has high entropy. This helps G to become more negative.
28. Differentiate between an ore and a mineral.
Sol. Ore : A mineral is an ore from which one or more metals can be extracted easily and profitably.
Minerals : Naturally occurring solid substances having metals in combined state or native state are called
minerals. Minerals do not contain NO3– ion because all nitrate salts are water soluble.
29. What are matrix and slag?
Sol. Matrix or Gangue : Minerals are always associated with earthly impurities known as matrix or gangue.
Slag : The low fusible substance produced by the reaction of flux with impurities during extraction of metals,
is called slag. The process is called slagging operation.
30. Write the names and formulae of four minerals of iron.
Sol. Metals generally occur in the form of their oxides, sulphides, carbonates, sulphates, halides, etc. Principal
minerals of some metals are listed below.
Metal Mineral Average composition
Iron Haematite * Fe2O3
Magnetite Fe3O4
Iron pyrites (Fool’s gold) FeS2
Siderite FeCO3
Chromite FeOCr2O3
* Main minerals, called as ores, from which metals are mainly extracted.
8 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-1)
31. Write a brief note on slag formation.
Sol. During metallurgy the process of formation of slag (low fusible substance ) by the reaction of flux with
impurities of the ore is called slagging. For example, in the metallurgy of iron, CaO (a basic flux) is used to
convert the acidic impurity SiO2 to CaSiO3 (slag).
CaO + SiO2 CaSiO3
32. Discuss the process of hydraulic washing to purify oxide ores.
Sol. Hydraulic washing (gravity separation method)
This method is employed to purify heavier ore such as oxides (e.g., haematite, tin stone etc.), carbonates (e.g.,
calamine, malachite, etc.), native gold, etc.
The ore is washed with running water using big tubs or wilfley table that has sluices (grooves). The ligher
impurities are washed away and the heavier particles of the ore settle down.
33. Discuss the process of bessemerisation with proper equation of reactions.
Sol. In the Ellingham diagram of G° versus T, the graph of C CO and C CO2 both are much below the graph
of Cu Cu2O. Hence, coke can be used to reduce Cu2O to Cu.
After crushing, grinding, hydraulic washing and calcination, the ore is heated with coke to collect Cu.
Cu2O + C CO + 2Cu
However, the actual method uses copper pyrites (chalcopyrites-CuFeS2). After crushing, grinding and froth
flotation, the ore is roasted in reverberatory furnace. Next, it is heated with coke and silica in a blast furnace
of about 30 feet height. The material collected from the blast furnace is called copper matte that contains high
percentage of copper as Cu2S.
In reverberatory furnace,
2CuFeS2 + O2 Cu2S + 2FeS + SO2
3
FeS + O2 FeO + SO2
2
FeO + SiO2 FeSiO3
Impurity Slag
In blast furnace,
3
FeS + O2 FeO + SO2
2
3
Cu2 S + O2 Cu2 O + SO2
2
Cu2O + FeS Cu2S + FeO
FeO + SiO2 FeSiO3
Finally, the copper mate is subjected to bessemerisation in silica lined Bessemer converter. Cu2S oxidized
to CuO is changed to Cu by reaction of Cu2O with Cu2S. Metallurgy called Autoreduction or self reduction or
air reduction method. The reactions are same as shown for blast furnace except the production of Cu.
Cu2S + 2Cu2O 6Cu + SO4
The copper collected is 98-99% pure and has blisters on the surface because of evolution of entrapped SO2.
Solution of Assignment (Set-1) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 9
34. What mass of graphite will be consumed (approximately) practically for the production of 500 g of Al by Hall
Heroult method?
Sol. Practically, the amount of graphite consumed at anode in Hall Heroult method is 50% of the amount of Al
collected. Hence, the amount of graphite consumed is 250 g.
35. Name some objects made from different varieties of iron.
Sol. Wrought iron is used to make chains, anchors, bolts, nails and railway carriage couplings. Pig iron is used
for making different varieties of steel.
Long Answer Type Questions :
36. Write two uses of each of Zn, Fe, Cu and Al.
Sol. (a) Aluminium : Aluminium is used for
(i) Making electric wires.
(ii) Making silver paint.
(b) Copper : It is used for
(i) Making steam pipes.
(ii) Making electrical wires.
(c) Zinc : It is used for
(i) Making alloys, like brass (with Cu), german silver (with Cu 25-30%, Zn 25-30%, Ni 40-50%) etc.
(ii) For galvanisation of iron.
(d) Iron : It is used for
(i) Making wrought iron and different varieties of steel.
(ii) Wrought iron is used for making agricultural implements, anchors, bolt etc.
37. Write a note on vapour phase refining of metals.
Sol. Vapour phase refining : In this method, metal is converted to a stable volatile compound which on strong
heating produces pure metal.
(i) Van Arkel method : This method is used to collect ultra pure titanium and zirconium by using I2 as
specific reagent.
500 K
Ti + 2I2 TiI4
(Impure)
1700 K
TiI4 Ti + 2I2
(Pure)
(ii) Mond process : This method is used to purify nickel. The reagent used is carbon monoxide.
330–350K
Ni + 4CO Ni(CO)4
(Impure)
450–470K
Ni(CO)4 Ni + 4CO
(Pure)
10 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-1)
38. Giving diagram of the apparatus used, discuss the method of zone refining.
Sol. Zone refining : Semiconductors, like Si, Ge, Ga etc., are purified by this method.
The underlying principle is that, impurities are highly soluble in molten metal and pure metal solidifies easily.
The method is basically fractional crystallisation.
A circular heater surrounds a rod of impure metal. The heater is moved forward. The pure metal crystallises
out and impurities pass into the adjacent molten metal. The method is repeated to shift the impurities to one
end which is cut off.
Noble-gas atmosphere
Metal rod Induction-coil heaters
Molten zone moving as shown
Zone refining process
39. What is matrix or gangue? Discuss in brief the methods of removal of gangue during metallurgy.
Sol. Matrix or Gangue : Minerals are always associated with earthly impurities known as matrix or gangue.
Magnetic separation : This method is employed to separate the magnetic and non-magnetic components
present in the ore by carrying the powdered ore on a conveyer belt passing over an electromagnetic roller. The
non-magnetic part is thrown away while the magnetic part makes a heap below the magnate. For example,
magnetic impurity of wolframite (FeWO4) is separated from tin stone (the ore of tin). Other cases are chromite
ore FeO.Cr2O3, magnetite Fe3O4, pyrolusite MnO2, etc. are magnetic.
Finely ground ore
Magnetic roller
Magnetic
particles
Non-magnetic
particles
Magnetic separation (schematic)
Hydraulic washing (gravity separation method)
This method is employed to purify heavier ore such as oxides (e.g., haematite, tin stone etc.), carbonates (e.g.,
calamine, malachite, etc.), native gold, etc.
The ore is washed with running water using big tubs or wilfley table that has sluices (grooves). The ligher
impurities are washed away and the heavier particles of the ore settle down.
Froth floatation process : This method is employed to purify/concentrate sulphide ores. This method uses:
(a) Water
(b) Pine oil or eucalyptus oil to produce foam and work as collector / transforming agent
(c) Cresols or aniline to stabilise foam
Solution of Assignment (Set-1) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 11
S
(d) Xanthate (commonly employed xanthate is potassium ethyl xanthate C2H5 – O – C – S K+ ) collector to
increase wetting of sulphide ore.
(e) Depressants and activators to collect the required sulphide part from the ore. For example Galena contains
a good quantity of ZnS with PbS. NaCN is used to convert most of ZnS into water soluble complex
Na2[Zn(CN4)].
40. What are the main function of pine oil, cresol, xanthate and depressant in froth floatation process?
Sol. Froth floatation process : This method is employed to purify/concentrate sulphide ores. This method uses:
(a) Water
(b) Pine oil or eucalyptus oil to produce foam and work as collector / transforming agent
(c) Cresols or aniline to stabilise foam
S
(d) Xanthate (commonly employed xanthate is potassium ethyl xanthate C2H5 – O – C – S K+ ) collector to
increase wetting of sulphide ore.
(e) Depressants and activators to collect the required sulphide part from the ore. For example, Galena contains
a good quantity of ZnS with PbS. NaCN is used to convert most of ZnS into water soluble complex
Na2[Zn(CN4)].
41. What is self reduction method of extracting metals? Describe with suitable examples.
Sol. Auto reduction or self reduction or air reduction method
Less reactive metals form unstable sulphides. Roasting produces their oxides which may react with sulphide
to produce metal or the oxide formed may decompose to give metal.
O2 /∆ Cu2S/∆
Cu2S
–SO
Cu2 O Cu + SO2
2
O2 /∆ PbS/∆
Pbs
–SO
PbO Pb + SO2
2
O2/ HgS/
HgS HgO Hg + SO2
Hg + 12 O2
42. Write a note on Ellingham diagram.
Sol. Ellingham plotted graphs of formation of oxides, sulphides and halides versus temperatures. The plots of
fG (metal oxide) per mole of oxygen versus temperature are useful in deciding the reducing agent and
temperature for reducing a specific metal oxide. All these graphs have positive slopes showing decrease of
entropy except for the formation of CO(g) from coke that shows increase in entropy with increase in
temperature.
A sudden increase in slope, as in case of Zn or Mg, indicates melting.
The temperature at which two graphs intersect give G = 0 for the reaction of one oxide with other element.
The element of the lower graph works as reducing agent for the oxide of the other, e.g.,
12 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-1)
Below temperature 1623 K (approx) Mg metal will reduce Al2O3 (but not economical) and above this temperature
it is Al that reduces MgO (but not economical).
0
–100
–200 2Cu2O
4Cu + O 2
–300 2FeO
O2
2Fe + C + O2 CO2
–400
2CO 2
+ O2
–500 2CO 2C +
O 2 2 C
nO O
O2 2Z
–600 2Zn +
–700 A
–800
O3
/3Al 2
2
–900 l + O2
4/3A
–1000 2M
gO
O2
2Mg +
–1100
–1200
0°C 400°C 800°C 1200°C 1600°C 2000°C
273 k 673 k 1073 k 1473 k 1873 k 2273 k
Temperator
* The limitations of this method are that it does not discuss the rate of reaction and takes every reaction
as an equilibrium process.
43. Draw the diagram of blast-furnace for the metallurgy of iron from Fe2O3 and describe all its zones with
equations of reaction.
Sol. Extraction of iron : In Ellingham diagram, the graph of CO CO2
Ore, limestone, and coke
conversion remains below Fe Fe2O3 upto 1123K (for Fe FeO)
CO CO2 It is 1073K approximately. So, CO(g) acts as reducing
Exhaust gases (CO, CO2)
agent upto this temperature. 3Fe2O3 + CO 2Fe3O4 + CO2
(Iron ore)
Fe3O4 + CO 3FeO + CO2
3Fe2 O3 + CO 2Fe3O4 (i.e., FeOFe2O3) + CO2 1070 K
FeO + CO Fe + CO2
CaCO3 CaO + CO2
Fe3O4 + CO 3FeO + CO2 1270 K (Limestone)
CaO + SiO2 CaSiO3
(Slag)
FeO + CO Fe + CO2 1570 K C + CO2 2CO
Coke
C + O2 CO2
Also, graph of C CO is below the graph of Fe Fe2O3 2170 K
Molten slag FeO + C Fe + CO
after 1123K. So, carbon acts as reducing agent above this Molten iron Blast of air and oxygen
temperature.
Solid waste Pig iron
Fe2O3 + C 3CO + 2Fe
Zones in Blast furnace : Near the bottom coke is filled and
in the upper part 8 : 4 : 1 proportion of Fe2O3, coke and lime
stone. Height of blast furnace is about 150 feet.
(a) Zone of combustion : Near the bottom, hot air is blown that burns coke to produce a temperature of
2100–2200 K.
C + O2 CO2 + 393.5 kJ
Solution of Assignment (Set-1) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 13
(b) Zone of heat absorbtion : Upgoing CO 2 reacts with coke to reduce to temperature to about
1500 –1600K.
C + CO2 2CO – 163 kJ
(c) Zone of reduction : Upto 1073 K, reduction of Fe2O3 by CO gas gives Fe (in the upper part).
Left of Fe2O3 is reduced by coke above 1073 K.
(d) Zone of slag formation : Slagging operation takes place at about 1273 K.
CaCO3 CaO + CO2
CaO + SiO2 (Impurity) CaSiO3
At the base molten iron is collected under the slag. This iron is called Pig Iron and contains about 4% carbon
with many other impurities like, S, P, Si, Mn, etc.
The metal iron is collected from slag by pressing under rollers.
* The height of the blast furnace used for the extraction of Fe from Fe2O3 or Fe3O4, is about 150 feet to
200 feet.
44. Write a note on different forms of iron.
Sol. Other forms of iron :
Cast Iron : It is hard but brittle form of raw iron produced by melting and cooling of pig iron its colour is gray.
Fast cooling keeps the impurity of carbon as graphite. Slow cooling converts most of the carbon into cementite
Fe3C and the colour becomes white. The carbon content in cast iron comes down to about 3%.
Wrought iron or malleable iron : It is prepared by heating cast iron in reverberatory furnace limed with
haematite which oxidises carbon to CO. Lime stone is added to remove Si, S and P as slag. The wrought
iron is separated from slag by passing through rollers. It is the purest form of iron and contains carbon only
upto 0.5 %.
Steel : It contains 0.1 to 1.7% carbon and remaining iron only. It is commonly prepared in Bessemer converter
or open hearth furnace or electric furnace.
45. Describe with proper stages and equations of reactions, the metallurgy of iron starting from Fe2O3.
Sol. Extraction of Copper from Cuprite and Copper Pyrites (Fool’s Gold)
In the Ellingham diagram of G° versus T, the graph of C CO and C CO2 both are much below the graph
of Cu Cu2O. Hence, coke can be used to reduce Cu2O to Cu.
After crushing, grinding, hydraulic washing and calcination, the ore is heated with coke to collect Cu.
Cu2O + C CO + 2Cu
However, the actual method uses copper pyrites (chalcopyrites-CuFeS2). After crushing, grinding and froth
flotation, the ore is roasted in reverberatory furnace. Next, it is heated with coke and silica in a blast furnace
of about 30 feet height. The material collected from the blast furnace is called copper matte that contains high
percentage of copper as Cu2S.
14 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-1)
In reverberatory furnace,
2CuFeS2 + O2 Cu2S + 2FeS + SO2
3
FeS + O2 FeO + SO2
2
FeO + SiO2 FeSiO3
Impurity Slag
In blast furnace,
3
FeS + O2 FeO + SO2
2
3
Cu2 S + O2 Cu2 O + SO2
2
Cu2O + FeS Cu2S + FeO
FeO + SiO2 FeSiO3
Finally, the copper mate is subjected to bessemerisation in silica lined Bessemer converter. Cu2S oxidized
to CuO is changed to Cu by reaction of Cu2O with Cu2S. Metallurgy called Autoreduction or self reduction or
air reduction method. The reaction are same as shown for blast furnace except the production of Cu.
Cu2S + 2Cu2O 6Cu + SO4
The copper collected is 98-99% pure and has blisters on the surface because of evolution of entrapped SO2
SECTION - B
Model Test Paper
Very Short Answer Type Questions :
1. Name two compounds which act as basic flux.
Sol. Calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO)
2. What is the role of cresols or aniline in froth floatation process?
Sol. Cresols or aniline stabilise the foam.
3. Write the name and formula of the main ore of copper.
Sol. Chalcopyrites or copper pyrites, CuFeS2
4. Name one metal whose extraction requires Bessemer converter.
Sol. Copper
5. What is the reducing agent used to convert ZnO to Zn?
Sol. Coke
6. Name two elements which are purified by using zone refining method.
Sol. Semiconductors are purified by zone refining method e.g., Si, Ge, Ga, etc.
7. Write the main equation of slag formation in blast furnace in the metallurgy of iron.
Sol. CaO + SiO2
CaSiO3
Flux Impurity Slag
Solution of Assignment (Set-1) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 15
8. In what form is the impurity of iron removed in the metallurgy of Cu?
Sol. FeO + SiO2 FeSiO3
Impurity Flux Slag
Short Answer Type Questions :
9. Discuss in brief the zone refining method.
Sol. Kroll’s method is extraction of Ti from TiCl4 using Mg as reducing agent.
2TiCl4 + Mg MgCl2 + 2Ti
10. Write the equations of main reactions of reduction of Fe2O3 occurring in the blast furnace.
Sol. 3Fe2O3 + CO 2Fe3O4 + CO2
Fe3O4 + CO 3FeO + CO2
FeO + CO Fe + CO2
11. What are the main functions of roasting and calcination in the metallurgical operations?
Sol. Volatile impurities are removed.
For further reaction surface area of ore increases. Final form obtained is oxide form generally.
12. Explain the basic principle of vapour phase refining and give one suitable example.
Sol. In vapour phase refining, metal is converted to a stable volatile compound which on strong heating produces
pure metal.
Ti is converted to TiI4 which on further heating gives pure Ti.
500 K 1700 K
Ti + 2I2
TiI4
Ti +2I2
Impure Pure
13. Discuss in brief the process of aluminothermy.
Sol. Oxides of Mn, Cr, Fe, etc. can be reduced by using aluminium powder as reducing agent. A mixture of BaO2
and Mg is used as ignition mixture to supply heat
∆
Cr2O3 + 2Al Al2O3 + 2Cr
∆
3Mn3O4 + 8 Al 4Al2O3 + 9Mn
14. Why is partial roasting of sulphide ore of copper carried out?
Sol. Chalcopyrites (CuFeS2) is partially oxidised to Cu2O which is made to react with Cu2S in Bessemer converter
to give Cu by self reduction method.
Cu2S + 2Cu2O 6Cu + SO2
15. Why is zinc not copper commonly used to recover silver from the complex [Ag(CN)2]– ?
Sol. Zinc is much more cheaper and reactive than copper. Zinc easily replaces Ag from Na[Ag(CN)2]. The reaction
of copper is not so much effective.
Zn 2Na Ag(CN)2 Na2 Zn(CN)4 2Ag
Solid Solid
Solution Solution
16 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-1)
Short Answer Type Questions :
16. Magnesium oxide is commonly used to the lining in furnace used for making steel. Explain.
Sol. Magnesium oxide works as basic flux. It reacts with acidic impurities to produce slag. That is why MgO is
used for lining of furnaces used for making steel.
3MgO + P2O5 Mg3(PO4)2
MgO + SiO2 MgSiO3
17. Write a note on flux.
Sol. Acidic flux : It converts basic impurities to slag. For example, SiO2 is used in the metallurgy of copper to
remove FeO as FeSiO3 (slag).
FeO + SiO2 FeSiO3
18. The reduction of a metal oxide becomes quite easier when the produced metal is in liquid state. Explain.
Sol. If metal produced in a metallurgical operation appears as liquid, S° value is extremely high. The TS° value
will dominate with negative sign. This will help G° value in becoming more and more negative and the reaction
will be easier.
M2Ox(s) + xC(s) 2M(l) + xCO(g)
G° = H ° – TS°
19. Discuss in brief the Hall Heroult method for the extraction of aluminium from purified bauxite.
Sol. Bauxite Al2O3.2H2O is converted to alumina (purified Al2O3) by leaching [already discussed in IV (s)].
Carbon
anode Copper
clamp
Iron
Carbon lining
Molten Al2O3 + NaAl3F4 (cathode)
Outlet for
aluminium
Molten aluminium
Electrolytic cell for the extraction of aluminium
A mixture of 3-5% Al2O3, 3-8% CaF2 (Flux), 80-85% cryolite, Na3AlF6 (main electrolyte) and 3-8% AlF3 is
electrolysed using steel cathode and graphite anode. Molten Al (99.5% pure) is tapped from the bottom. The
method is commonly known as Hall Heroult method. The reaction can be written as
Cathode : Al3+ (melt) + 3e– Al(l)
Anode : C(s) + O2– (melt) CO(g) + 2e–
C(s) + 2O2– (melt) CO2(g) + 4e–
The overall reaction is
2Al2O3 + 3C 4Al + 3CO2
* For the production of about 1 kg of Al, 0.5 kg of carbon of anode is used up.
Solution of Assignment (Set-1) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 17
Long Answer Type Questions :
20. At 1273 K and 2273 K the fG of MgO(s) and CO(g) are as shown below :
At 1273 K : fG(MgO) = – 950 kJ mol–1; fG(CO) = –440 kJ mol–1
At 2273 K : fG(MgO) = – 350 kJ mol–1; fG(CO) = –630 kJ mol–1
Which temperature will help for the reduction of MgO to Mg using CO(g) as reducing agent?
OR
Discuss the chemistry related to different zones of blast furnace used in the metallurgy of iron.
Sol. MgO(s) + C(s) Mg(s) + CO(g)
At 1273K, G = fGproducts – fGReactants
= fGCO(g) – fGMgO(s)
= (–440) – (–950)
= 510 kJ mol–1
Reaction is not feasible, because G > 0
At 2273 K, G = –630 – (–350)
= – 280 kJ mol–1
Reaction is feasible, because G < 0
OR
Zones in Blast furnace : Near the bottom coke is filled and in the upper part 8 : 4 : 1 proportion of Fe2O3,
coke and lime stone. Height of blast furnace is about 150 feet.
Ore, limestone, and coke
Exhaust gases (CO, CO2)
3Fe2O3 + CO 2Fe3O4 + CO2
(Iron ore)
1070 K Fe3O4 + CO 3FeO + CO2
FeO + CO Fe + CO2
CaCO3 CaO + CO2
1270 K (Limestone)
CaO + SiO2 CaSiO3
(Slag)
1570 K C + CO2 2CO
Coke
C + O2 CO2
2170 K
Molten slag FeO + C Fe + CO
Molten iron Blast of air and oxygen
Solid waste Pig iron
18 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-1)
(a) Zone of combustion : Near the bottom, hot air is blown that burns coke to produce a temperature of
2100–2200 K.
C + O2 CO2 + 393.5 kJ
(b) Zone of heat absorbtion : Upgoing CO2 reacts with coke to reduce to temperature to about 1500–
1600K.
C + CO2 2CO – 163 kJ
(c) Zone of reduction : Upto 1123 K, reduction of Fe2O3 by CO gas gives Fe (in the upper part).
Left of Fe2O3 is reduced by coke above 1123 K.
(d) Zone of slag formation : Slagging operation takes place at about 1273 K.
CaCO3 CaO + CO2
CaO + SiO2 (Impurity) CaSiO3
At the base molten iron is collected under the slag. This iron is called Pig Iron and contains about 4%
carbon with many other impurities like, S, P, Si, Mn, etc.
The metal iron is collected from slag by pressing under rollers.
* The height of the blast furnace used for the extraction of Fe from Fe2O3 or Fe3O4, is about 150 feet
to 200 feet.
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SECTION - A
Objective Type Questions
1. Which metal is used for extraction of Au and Ag and also for galvanisation of iron objects?
(1) Mg (2) Zn (3) Cr (4) Co
Sol. Answer (2)
Zinc is used as reducing agent for the extraction of Au and Ag.
Zn(s) + 2 Au CN 2 aq
2Au(s) + Zn CN 4 aq
– 2–
Zinc being a more electropositive metal used for the galvanization of iron to prevent it from rusting.
2. Which of the following is not correctly matched?
(1) Chalcopyrites CuFeS2
(2) Smithsonite ZnCO3
(3) Magnetite Fe3O4
(4) Argentite Na3AlF6
Sol. Answer (4)
Argentite is Ag2S whereas Na3AlF6 is cryolite. Therefore option (4) is not correctly matched.
3. Which of the following is not a mineral of aluminium?
(1) Bauxite (2) Cryolite (3) China clay (4) Malachite
Sol. Answer (4)
Malachite is not a mineral of aluminium. Malachite is CuCO3Cu(OH)2, an are of copper.
4. Which of the following is acidic flux?
(1) CaO (2) MgO (3) SiO2 (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (3)
SiO2 is an acidic oxide and used as an acidic flux to remove basic impurities in the form of slag.
FeO + SiO 2
FeSiO 2
slag
SiO2 is used in metallurgy of Cu to remove FeO.
2 General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-2)
5. In the metallurgy of iron, the slag is
(1) FeSiO3 (2) CaCO3 (3) CaSiO3 (4) CaO
Sol. Answer (3)
In the metallurgy of iron, the impurity is SiO2 and it is removed as CaSiO3 by using CaO.
SiO 2 + CaO
CaSiO 3
6. Which of the following is concentrated by magnetic separation method?
(1) Pyrolusite MnO2 (2) Chromite ore FeOCr2O3
(3) Magnetite Fe3O4 (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (4)
Pyrolusite (MnO2), Chromite ore (FeOCr2O3) and Magnetite (Fe3O4) are magnetic in nature and can be
concentrated by magnetic separation method.
7. Which of the following is commonly used to produce foam in froth floatation process?
(1) Pine oil (2) Cresol (3) NaCN (4) Xanthate
Sol. Answer (1)
In froth floatation process, pine oil is used to produce foam and work as collector/transforming agent.
8. Serpeck’s method involves the heating of bauxite with
(1) NaOH (2) Na2CO3 (3) N2 + C (4) CaCO3
Sol. Answer (3)
In Serpeck's method white bauxite is heated with coke in presence of N2 gas.
Al 2O 3 + N 2 + 3C 3CO + 2AlN
NH 3 + 2Al OH 3
AlN + 3H 2O
Aluminium nitride formed in 1st step is reacted with water to produce Al(OH)3 which gives Al2O3 on ignition.
9. Sulphide ore is converted to oxide form by using the process
(1) Calcination (2) Roasting (3) Smelting (4) Leaching
Sol. Answer (2)
Sulphide ores are generally roasted in free supply of air below their melting point
2ZnS + 3O 2
2ZnO + 2SO 2
10. Which of the following oxides cannot be reduced by auto or self reduction?
(1) HgO (2) Cu2O (3) PbO (4) Al2O3
Sol. Answer (4)
Less reactive metals like Cu, Hg and Pb form unstable sulphides which can undergo auto-oxidation. Al is
reactive metal and does not undergo auto-oxidation.
11. Which of the following is used as reducing agent in Gold schmidt method?
(1) Al (2) K (3) C (4) Mg
Solution of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements 3
Sol. Answer (1)
In Gold Schmidt method, aluminium is used as reducing agent
3Mn 3O 4 + 8Al
4Al 2O 3 + 9Mn
12. Which of the following is used to reduce TiCl4 to Ti?
(1) C (2) Al (3) Mg (4) H2
Sol. Answer (3)
In Kroll's process for titanium, Mg is used as reducing agent
TiCl 4 + 2Mg
2MgCl 2 + Ti
13. Ellingham diagrams are plots of G°f Vs T for the formation of
(1) Oxides (2) Halides (3) Sulphides (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (4)
Ellingham diagram is plotted graphs of formation of oxides, sulphides and halides versus temperature.
14. Which of the following statement is correct w.r.t. the following graph?
2Mg + O2 2MgO
0
–900 4 Al + O 2 Al O
3 2 3 2 3
G° –1000
–1
kJ mol
–1100
T 1623 K
(1) Below 1623 K, Mg reduces Al2O3 (2) Above 1623 K, Al reduces MgO
(3) Both (1) & (2) are correct (4) Both (1) & (2) are wrong
Sol. Answer (3)
The Ellingham diagram, the element which is present below can reduce the metal which is present above
it. Below 1623 K, Mg can reduce Al2O3 since curve of Mg lies below the curve of Al2O3 below 1623 K but
after 1623 K curve of Al2O3 is present below the slope of Mg, so after 1623 K, Al can reduce MgO.
15. In Ellingham diagrams of fG oxide formation Vs T, which of the following graphs has negative slope?
(1) C CO (2) Fe Fe2O3 (3) Mg MgO (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (1)
In Ellingham diagram the slope of C CO is negative because entropy change is negative. Therefore, G
becomes more negative with increase in temperature.
16. Which of the following is incorrect w.r.t. metallurgy of iron in the blast furnace?
(1) Zone of combustion : C + O2 CO2 (2) Zone of heat absorbtion : CO2 C + O2
(3) Zone of slag formation : CaO + SiO2 CaSiO3 (4) Zone of reduction : Fe2O3 + 3C 3CO + 2Fe
Sol. Answer (2)
Zone of heat absorbtion : CO2 C + O2
In zone of heat absorption CO2 reacts with coke to reduce the temperature
C + CO2 2CO.
4 General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-2)
17. Which of the following has the lowest percentage of carbon in it?
(1) Pig iron (2) Cast iron (3) Wrought iron (4) Haematite
Sol. Answer (3)
Wrought iron is the purest form of iron and contains least amount of carbon (upto 0.5%).
18. Roasting of sulphide ore is generally performed in
(1) Muffle furnace (2) Bessemer converter (3) Blast furnace (4) Reverberatory furnace
Sol. Answer (4)
Roasting of sulphide ore is generally performed in reverberatory furnace.
19. Zinc is extracted from zinc blende by
(1) Carbon reduction process (2) Nitrogen reduction process
(3) Oxygen reduction process (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (1)
Zinc is extracted from zinc blende by carbon reduction process
2ZnS + 3O 2
2ZnO + 2SO 2
1673 K
ZnO + C Zn + CO
20. Which of the following is leached with NaCN?
(1) Ore of Al (2) Ore of Cu (3) Ore of Ag (4) Ore of Zn
Sol. Answer (3)
Ore of Ag is leached with NaCN during extraction of Ag
4 Au CN 2 aq + 4OH –aq
4Au(s) + 8CN –aq + 2H 2O aq + O 2 g
–
21. Hall Heroult method is used for the extraction of
(1) Ti (2) Al (3) Au (4) Zn
Sol. Answer (2)
Hall Heroult method is used for the extraction of aluminium. The overall reaction is
2Al 2O 3 + 3C
4Al + 3CO 2
22. Poling is used for purification of metals having impurities of
(1) Metal sulphides (2) Metal carbonates
(3) Metal bicarbonates (4) Metal oxides
Sol. Answer (4)
Poling method is used to purify a metal that has its oxide as impurity used for refining of Cu and Sn.
23. Impure zinc, as collected from earthen clay retort, is called
(1) Blister zinc (2) Pig zinc (3) Zinc spelter (4) Cast zinc
Sol. Answer (3)
During extraction of zinc when Zn metal is distilled off and collected by rapid chilling, the impure zinc is called
spelter and contains Cd, Pb and Fe as major impurities.
Solution of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements 5
24. The process of converting hydrated alumina into anhydrous alumina is called
(1) Roasting (2) Calcination (3) Dressing (4) Smelting
Sol. Answer (2)
The conservation of hydrated oxides ores to their oxides by heating in the absence of O2 below their melting
point is called calcination. For example,
Al 2O 3 xH 2O Al 2O 3 +xH 2O
25. Extraction of zinc from zinc blende is achieved by
(1) Electrolytic reduction (2) Roasting followed by reduction with carbon
(3) Roasting followed by reduction with another metal (4) Roasting followed by self reduction
Sol. Answer (2)
Zinc is first roasted to form ZnO
1
ZnS + 2O 2 ZnO + SO 2 + O
2 2
The zinc oxide formed is reduced by using carbon
1673 K
ZnO + C Zn + CO
26. Which of the following metal is purified by distillation process?
(1) Zn (2) Fe (3) Al (4) Cu
Sol. Answer (1)
Zn is distilled in horizontal earthen clay retort or vertical retort.
27. Vapour phase refining can be carried out in case of
(1) Ni (2) Zr (3) Ti (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (4)
Vapour phase refining is used for the purification of Ti, Zr and Ni. These metals form stable volatile compounds
which on strong heating produces pure metal.
1700 K
Til 4 (g) Ti + 2I 2
2070 K
ZrI 4 (g) Zr(s) + 2I 2 (g)
Ni CO 4 (g)
450 – 470 K
Ni + 4CO
28. Which of the following gives metal by electrolytic reduction conveniently and profitably?
(1) PbO (2) Fe2O3 (3) Cr2O3 (4) Al2O3
Sol. Answer (4)
Aluminium can be profitabily and conveniently obtained by electrolytic reduction process.
29. Which of the following is not a method of purification of metals?
(1) Liquation (2) Distillation (3) Zone refining (4) Galvanisation
Sol. Answer (4)
In galvanisation process, Zn is used to protect iron from rusting. It is not a method of purification of metal.
30. Which of the following metal can be extracted by self reduction process?
(1) Pb (2) Hg (3) Cu (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (4)
Oxides of less reactive metal can undergo self reduction to produce metal. Oxides of Cu, Pb and Hg can
undergo self reduction or auto reduction.
6 General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-2)
SECTION - B
Objective Type Questions
1. Which of the following metal can be extracted without using reducing agent?
(1) Sn (2) Pb (3) Fe (4) Both (1) & (2)
Sol. Answer (2)
Oxides of less reactive metals like Pb can undergo auto reduction and the metal can be extracted without
using reducing agent.
2. Which of the following metal is extracted by using coke and carbon monoxide as reducing agent?
(1) Na (2) Cu (3) Fe (4) Al
Sol. Answer (3)
Fe 2O 3 + C
3CO + Fe
Fe 2O 4 + C
3FeO + CO 2
FeO + CO
Fe + CO 2
Fe can be extracted by using coke and carbon monoxide.
3. Which of the following metal is extracted by the use of cyanide solution?
(1) Pb (2) Zn (3) Mn (4) Ag
Sol. Answer (4)
Ag can be extracted by using solution of cyanide ion
4 AgCN 2 aq + 4OH –
4Ag(s) + 8CN –aq + 2H 2O aq + O 2 g
–
Zn(s) + 2 Ag CN 2 aq
2Ag(s) + Zn CN 4 aq
– 2–
4. A substance which reacts with gangue to form fusible material is called
(1) Flux (2) Catalyst (3) Ore (4) Slag
Sol. Answer (1)
Flux is a substance used to react with impurities to form fusible substance. For example, SiO2, CaO etc.
5. Electrolytic reduction method is used for extraction of
(1) Highly electronegative elements (2) Transition metals
(3) Highly electropositive elements (4) Metalloids
Sol. Answer (3)
Electrolytic reduction method is used for extraction of highly electropositive elements because they are highly
reactive and very difficult to extract from other processes.
6. Cyanide process is used for the extraction of
(1) Au (2) Cu (3) Zn (4) Fe
Sol. Answer (1)
Cyanide process is used for the extraction of Au and Ag
4 Au CN 2 aq + 4OH –
–
4Au(s) + 8CN –aq + 2H 2O(aq) + O 2 (g)
Zn(s) + 2 Au(CN) 2 aq
2Au(s) + Zn CN 4 aq
– 2–
Solution of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements 7
7. Calcination is the process in which
(1) Heating the ore in presence of air (2) Heating the ore in absence of air
(3) Heating in vacuum (4) Heating of ore in presence of N2
Sol. Answer (2)
Calcination process is heating of hydrated oxides, carbonate to convert them into oxides, in the absence of
oxygen
Fe 2O 3 XH 2O(s) Fe 2O 3 (s) + xH 2O
8. Which of the following metals cannot be extracted by carbon reduction process?
(1) Pb (2) Al (3) Hg (4) Zn
Sol. Answer (2)
Aluminium cannot be extracted by carbon reduction process because reduction of oxides of aluminium with
carbon requires a very high temperature of about 2000°C as shown in Ellingham diagram.
9. Which of the following is not a refining process?
(1) Mond’s process (2) Van-Arkel process (3) Poling (4) Leaching
Sol. Answer (4)
Leaching is a method of extraction of metal. Mond's process, Van-Arkel process and poling are used for refining
of metals.
10. Which of the following is not a concentration technique?
(1) Levigation (2) Froth- flotation (3) Leaching (4) Calcination
Sol. Answer (4)
Calcination is not a method of concentration of ore. It is used for the conversion of carbonate, hydroxides,
hydrated oxides into corresponding oxide.
11. The ores that are concentrated by Froth flotation method are
(1) Carbonate (2) Sulphides (3) Oxides (4) Phosphates
Sol. Answer (2)
Froath floatation process is used for the concentration of sulphide ores.
12. In blast furnace, iron oxide is reduced by
(1) Silica (2) CO (3) H2S (4) Lime stone
Sol. Answer (2)
In blast furnace iron oxide is reduced by carbon monoxide
Fe 3O 4 + CO
3FeO + CO 2
FeO + CO
Fe + CO 2
13. The silver complex formed during cyanide process is
(1) Na2[Ag(CN)] (2) Na[AgCN] (3) Na2[Ag(CN)2] (4) Na[Ag(CN)2]
Sol. Answer (4)
During cyanide process Na[Ag(CN)2] is formed
4Na Ag CN 2 + 4NaOH
4Ag + 8NaCN + 2H 2O + O 2
8 General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-2)
14. Zincite and calamine respectively are
(1) Oxide and carbonate ore of Zn (2) Carbonate and oxide ore of Zn
(3) Oxide and sulphate ore of Zn (4) Sulphate and sulphite ore of Zn
Sol. Answer (1)
Zincite
ZnO (zinc Oxide)
Calamine
ZnCO 3 (zinc Carbonate)
15. Which of the following is chalcopyrite?
(1) CuFeS2 (2) FeS2 (3) KMgCl3.6H2O (4) Al2O3.2H2O
Sol. Answer (1)
CuFeS2 is called chalcopyrites. Also known as copper pyrites and Fool's gold.
16. The alloy used in dental filling contains
(1) Ag and Sn (2) Ag and Sb (3) Hg, Ag and Sn (4) Hg, Ag and Sb
Sol. Answer (3)
In dental filling, the alloy used consist of (50%) Hg, Ag (22.23%) and Sn (~ 14%).
17. What will happen, if anode is made of nickel instead of graphite in the extraction of aluminium from AlCl3?
(1) Nickel will be affected by high temperature (2) Nickel will combine with Cl2
(3) Nickel is insulator (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (2)
Nickel combines with Cl2
2AlCl 3 + 3Ni
2Al + 3NiCl 2
At cathode, Al 3+ melt + 3e –
Al(l)
At anode, Ni(s) + 2Cl –
NiCl 2 + 2e –
18. When molten NaCl is electrolysed by using inert electrode, the product obtained at cathode is
(1) Na (2) Cl2 (3) H2 (4) Na-Hg amalgam
Sol. Answer (1)
When molten NaCl is used in electrolysis, the product obtained at cathode is sodium (Na)
At cathode, Na + (melt) + e –
Na(l)
19. What is the slag formed from P2O5 impurity in metallurgy of iron?
(1) Ca3(PO4)2 (2) CaSiO3 (3) Fe3(PO4)2 (4) FeSiO3
Sol. Answer (1)
In the metallurgy of iron, slag formed P2O5 is Ca3(PO4)2
Ca 3 PO 4 2
P2O 5 + 3CaO
Solution of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements 9
20. By which process zinc is extracted from zinc blende?
(1) Electrolytic reduction (2) Roasting followed by reduction with carbon
(3) Calcination followed by reduction with carbon (4) Roasting followed by self reduction
Sol. Answer (2)
Roasting followed by reduction with carbon
2ZnS + 3O 2 2ZnO + 2SO 2 Roasting
1400 C
ZnO + C Zn + CO Reduction with CO
21. From gold amalgam, gold may be recovered by
(1) Distillation (2) Oxidation
(3) Electrolytic refining (4) Dissolving in HNO3
Sol. Answer (1)
From gold amalgam, gold may be recovered by distillation process since Hg is as metal with low BP, it will
boil first and will separate out from gold.
22. Which of the following oxide is thermally least stable?
(1) CaO (2) Al2O3 (3) Fe2O3 (4) Ag2O
Sol. Answer (4)
Due to small size of Ag2+, it has very small size. This small size of Ag2+ gives Ag2O more covalent character
than CaO, Al2O3 and Fe2O3. Since covalent oxides are thermally stable than ionic oxides, Ag2O is thermally
least stable.
23. Thomas slag is
(1) Calcium silicate (2) Anode mud (3) FeSiO3 (4) Calcium phosphate
Sol. Answer (4)
Thomas slag is Ca3(PO4)2, a by-product of steel industry.
24. Which of the following give respective metal by self reduction?
(1) Galena PbS (2) HgS (3) ZnS (4) Both (1) & (2)
Sol. Answer (4)
Both PbS and HgS on roasting undergo auto reduction to give respective metal
PbS + O 2
– SO 2
PbO + PbS Pb + SO 2
HgS + O 2
–SO 2
HgO + HgS Hg + SO 2
25. Which of the following statement is incorrect?
(1) Al2O3 cannot be reduced into Al by Cr2O3 (2) Ca is stronger reducing agent than Mg
(3) At 673 K, CO is poor reducing agent than carbon (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (3)
At higher temperature Al2O3 can be reduced by Cr.
10 General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-2)
SECTION - C
Previous Years Questions
1. Aluminium is extracted from alumina (Al2O3) by electrolysis of a molten mixture of [AIPMT (Prelims)-2012]
(1) Al2O3 + Na3AIF6 + CaF2 (2) Al2O3 + KF + Na3AIF6
(3) Al2O3 + HF + NaAIF4 (4) Al2O3 + CaF2 + NaAIF4
Sol. Answer (1)
During extraction of aluminium by electrolysis, a molten mixture of Al2O3, Na3AlF6, CaF2 is used. CaF2 is used
as flux and Na3AlF6 is the main electrolyte.
The overall reaction is
2Al 2O 3 + 3C
4Al + 3CO 2
2. In the extraction of copper from its sulphide ore, the metal is finally obtained by the reduction of cuprous oxide with
[AIPMT (Prelims)-2012]
(1) Iron sulphide (FeS) (2) Carbon monoxide (CO)
(3) Copper () sulphide (Cu2S) (4) Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
Sol. Answer (3)
In the final step of extraction of copper, Cu2O is reduced with the help of Cu2S.
CU 2S + 2Cu 2O
6Cu + SO 2 .
3. Identify the alloy containing a non-metal as a constituent in it [AIPMT (Prelims)-2012]
(1) Bell metal (2) Bronze (3) Invar (4) Steel
Sol. Answer (4)
4. Which one of the following is a mineral of iron ? [AIPMT (Prelims)-2012]
(1) Pyrolusite (2) Magnetite (3) Malachite (4) Cassiterite
Sol. Answer (2)
Magnetite (Fe3O4) is a mineral of iron.
5. Which of the following pairs of metals is purified by Van Arkel method? [AIPMT (Prelims)-2011]
(1) Ni and Fe (2) Ga and In (3) Zr and Ti (4) Ag and Au
Sol. Answer (3)
Van Arkel method is used to collect ultra pure titanium and zirconium by using I2 as specific reagent.
6. Which of the following elements is present as the impurity to the maximum extent in the pig iron?
[AIPMT (Prelims)-2011]
(1) Phosphorus (2) Manganese (3) Carbon (4) Silicon
Sol. Answer (3)
Carbon is the major impurity in the pig iron. Pig iron contains about 4% carbon.
7. The following reactions take place in the blast furnace in the preparation of impure iron. Identify the reaction
pertaining to the formation of the slag [AIPMT (Mains)-2011]
(1) CaO(s) + SiO2(s) CaSiO3(s) (2) 2C(s) + O2(g) 2CO(g)
(3) Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) 2Fe(l) + 3CO2(g) (4) CaCO3(s) CaO(s) + CO2(g)
Solution of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements 11
Sol. Answer (1)
In the blast furnace during the extraction of iron SiO2 is present as impurity and CaO is used as flux to remove
SiO2 in the form of CaSiO3 (slag).
8. Match List-I (substances) with List-II (process) employed in the manufacture of the substances and select the
correct option
List - I List - II
(Substances) (Processes)
a. Sulphuric acid (i) Haber's process
b. Steel (ii) Bessemer's process
c. Sodium hydroxide (iii) Leblanc process
d. Ammonia (iv) Contact process [AIPMT (Mains)-2010]
(1) a(i), b(iv), c(ii), d(iii) (2) a(i), b(ii), c(iii), d(iv) (3) a(iv), b(iii), c(ii), d(i) (4) a(iv), b(ii), c(iii), d(i)
Sol. Answer (4)
9. Which of the following statements, about the advantage of roasting sulphide ore before reduction is not true?
[AIPMT (Prelims)-2007]
(1) Roasting of the sulphide to the oxide is thermodynamically feasible
(2) Carbon and hydrogen are suitable reducing agents for metal sulphides
(3) The fG of the sulphide is greater than those for CS2 and H2S
(4) The fG is negative for roasting of sulphide ore to oxide
Sol. Answer (2)
10. Sulphides ores of metals are usually concentrated by Froth Floatation process. Which one of the following
sulphides ores offers an exception and is concentrated by chemical leaching ? [AIPMT (Prelims)-2007]
(1) Sphalerite (2) Argentite (3) Galena (4) Copper pyrite
Sol. Answer (2)
11. The mass of carbon anode consumed (giving only carbondioxide) in the production of 270 kg of aluminium metal
from bauxite by the Hall process is (Atomic mass Al= 27) [AIPMT (Prelims)-2005]
(1) 180 kg (2) 270 kg (3) 540 kg (4) 90 kg
Sol. Answer (4)
12. In which of the following process fused sodium chloride is electrolysed for extraction of sodium?
(1) Castner process (2) Cyanide process (3) Down's process (4) Both (2) & (3)
Sol. Answer (3)
Na is extracted by the electrolysis of fused sodium chloride by Down's process in which Na is collected at
cathode.
13. Which of the following does not contain aluminium?
(1) Cryolite (2) Fluorspar (3) Feldspar (4) Mica
Sol. Answer (2)
Fluorspar is CaF2. Also known as fluorite and does not contain aluminium.
12 General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-2)
14. Which of the following does not contain Mg?
(1) Magnetite (2) Asbestos (3) Magnesite (4) Carnalite
Sol. Answer (1)
Magnetite is Fe3O4, an are of iron and it does not contain magnesium.
15. Carborundum is
(1) CaC2 (2) CaCO3 (3) Fe3C (4) SiC
Sol. Answer (4)
Carborundum is SiC, silicon carbide. It is a very hard substance which is used as abrasive.
16. Bessemer converter is used for manufacture of
(1) Steel (2) Wrought iron (3) Pig iron (4) Cast iron
Sol. Answer (1)
Steel is commonly prepared in Bessemer converter. Steel contains 0.1 to 1.7% carbon.
17. Mond's process is used for
(1) Ni (2) Al (3) Fe (4) Cu
Sol. Answer (1)
Mond's process is used for refining of Ni
330–350 K
Ni + 4CO Ni CO 4
Impure Volatile
Ni CO 4
450–470 K
NI + 4CO
Pure
18. Which process of purification is represented by following scheme?
250ºC 1400ºC
Ti 2I2 TiI4 Ti 2I2
(Impure) (Pure)
(1) Poling (2) Electro refining (3) Zone refining (4) van Arkel process
Sol. Answer (4)
In Van Arkel process titanium and zirconium are purified by using I2 as specific reagent.
19. Which of the following sulphides when heated strongly in air gives the corresponding metal?
(1) CuS (2) Fe2S3 (3) FeS (4) HgS
Sol. Answer (4)
HgS undergo auto reduction and gives the Hg metal on strong heating.
O 2 /
HgS
– SO 2
HgO + HgS Hg + SO 2
20. Most important ore of tin is
(1) Cassiterite (2) Cryolite (3) Malachite (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (1)
The most important ore of tin is cassiterite (SnO2).
21. Heating of ore in presence of air to remove sulphur impurities is called
(1) Calcination (2) Roasting (3) Smelting (4) None of these
Solution of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements 13
Sol. Answer (2)
Heating of sulphide ore in presence of air to get corresponding oxide is called roasting
For example, 2ZnS + 3O 2 2ZnO + 2SO 2 .
22. Sodium is extracted from
(1) NaCl(aq) (2) NaCl(l) (3) NaOH(aq) (4) NaNO3(aq)
Sol. Answer (2)
Sodium is extracted by electrolysis of molten NaCl. Na metal is collected at cathode and gives Cl2 at anode.
23. Among the metals, the one that cannot be obtained by reduction of its metal oxide
(1) Cr (2) Fe (3) Mn (4) Mg
Sol. Answer (4)
In Ellingham diagram, the slope of Mg MgO lies well below the slope of C CO. A very high
temperature is required for the reduction of Mg. Therefore, Mg cannot be obtained by its reduction.
24. Which of the following is used as depressant in the separation of mixture of PbS and ZnS?
(1) NaCN (2) NaCl (3) AgCl (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (1)
During the concentration of sulphide ores using froath floatation process, NaCN is used to separate PbS and
ZnS. NaCN reacts with ZnS and forms Na2[Zn(CN)4] therefore, acts as depressants.
25. Which contains both iron and copper?
(1) Cuprite (2) Chalcocite (3) Chalcopyrite (4) Malachite
Sol. Answer (3)
Chalcopyrite contains both Cu and Fe. Chalcopyrite is CuFeS2.
26. To dissolve argentite ore which of the following is used?
(1) Na[Ag(CN)2] (2) NaCN (3) NaCl (4) HCl
Sol. Answer (2)
Argentite is dissolved using NaCN
Na 2SO 4 + 2Na Ag CN 2
Ag S + 4NaCN + 2O 2
2
Argentite
27. Iron obtained from blast furnace is
(1) Wrought iron (2) Cast iron (3) Pig iron (4) Steel
Sol. Answer (3)
Iron obtained from blast furnace is pig iron. It contains about 4% carbon with many other impurities like S,
P, S8, Mn etc.
28. Elements used as semiconductor are purified by
(1) Van Arkel method (2) Mond process (3) Distillation (4) Zone refining
Sol. Answer (4)
Semiconductor like Si, Ge, Ga etc can be purified by using zone refining method.
29. Which of the following oxide is least stable?
(1) CO2 (2) CO (3) MgO (4) HgO
Sol. Answer (4)
HgO is least stable oxide because +1 oxidation state of Hg is more stable.
14 General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-2)
30. The inner layer of a blast furnace is made of
(1) Graphite bricks (2) Silica bricks
(3) Basic bricks (4) Fireclay bricks
Sol. Answer (4)
The inner layer of blast furnace is made up of fire clay bricks which can withstand high temperature.
31. Roasting of sulphides gives the gas X as a by- product. This is a colorless gas with choking smell of burnt
sulphur and causes great damage to respiratory organs as a result of acid rain. Its aqueous solution is acidic
acts as a reducing agent and its acid is known only in solution. The gas X is
(1) SO2 (2) CO2
(3) SO3 (4) H2S
Sol. Answer (1)
Sulphur dioxide is a colourless gas which can cause damage to respiratory organs. Its aqueous solution is
acidic
SO 2 + H 2O
H 2SO 3
H2SO3 is sulphurous acid and it is known only in solution.
32. Which of the following mineral contains calcium as well as magnesium?
(1) Tridymite (2) Aragonite
(3) Dolomite (4) Carnalite
Sol. Answer (3)
Dolomite is CaCO3MgCO3 which contains Ca as well as Mg.
SECTION - D
Assertion - Reason Type Questions
1. A : Cuprite is concentrated by froth floatation process.
R : Cuprite is the sulphide ore.
Sol. Answer (4)
Assertion is incorrect because sulphide ores are concentrated by froath floatation process and cuprite is not
a sulphide ore, Hence reason is also false.
2. A : Bauxite is purified by leaching process.
R : Aluminium oxide reacts with NaOH to form soluble sodium meta aluminate.
Sol. Answer (1)
Bauxite (Al2O32H2O) is purified by leaching process. In this process bauxite is treated with NaOH to form
sodium meta aluminate
Al 2O 3 2H 2O + 2NaOH
45% NaOH
200–250°C
2NaAlO 2 + 3H 2O
Sodium Meta
sulphate
Hence, both Assertion and Reason are true.
Solution of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements 15
3. A : Calamine and Dolomite are the carbonate ores.
R : Calamine is ZnCO3 whereas Dolomite is MgCO3.ZnCO3.
Sol. Answer (3)
Calamine is ZnCO3 whereas Dolomite is CaCO3MgCO3. Therefore, Assertion is true but reason is false.
4. A : Roasting process is involved in the metallurgy of Cu from Malachite ore.
R : Roasting is the process of heating the ore in absence of air.
Sol. Answer (4)
Roasting process is used for sulphide ores. Malachite is CaCO3Cu(OH)2 which can be converted into oxide
by calcination process. Roasting is done in presence of air. Therefore, both Assertion and Reason are false.
5. A : Metallurgy of Ag from Argentite is known as hydro-metallurgy.
R : Argentite is Ag2S.
Sol. Answer (2)
In the extraction of Ag from argentite, leaching is done with the help of NaCN and Zn dust. This process is
called hydrometallurgy. Argentite is Ag2S but this reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
6. A : In the manufacturing of iron from haematite, silicon dioxide is added as flux.
R : Lime stone is also used as acidic flux in many case.
Sol. Answer (4)
In the metallurgy of Iron CaO is used as flux and SiO2 is present as impurity. Limestone is not used as acidic
flux.
Hence, both Assertion and Reason are false.
7. A : Ultrapure metals are obtained by zone refining.
R : Van arkel method is used for purification of titanium.
Sol. Answer (2)
Zone refining method is used for purification of semiconductors and this method gives metals of very high purity.
Van Arkel method is used for purification titanium. Hence, Reason and Assertion are true but Reason is not
the correct explanation.
8. A : Wrought iron is purest form of iron with respect to other forms.
R : It has less than 0.5% carbon.
Sol. Answer (1)
The percentage of impurities in wrought iron is minimum and it contains less than 5% carbon. Therefore, both
Assertion and Reason are true.
9. A : Magnesium oxide is used for the lining in steel making furnace.
R : Magnesium oxides acts as flux.
Sol. Answer (1)
In the steel industry, MgO is used for lining the surface of furnace. MgO is a basic oxide and reacts with SiO2
which is present in the iron ore as impurity to form slag. Hence MgO acts as a flux. Therefore, both Assertion
and Reason are true.
16 General Principles and Progresses of Isolation of Elements Solution of Assignment (Set-2)
10. A : Aluminium metal is used as a reducing agent for the extraction of metals.
R : Aluminium has great affinity for oxygen.
Sol. Answer (1)
Aluminium metal has great affinity for oxygen and it readily combines with oxygen. This property of aluminium
makes it a suitable reducing agent for the extraction of other metals. Hence, both assertion and reason are
true.
11. A : Zinc but not copper is used for recovery of Ag from the complex [Ag(CN)2]–.
R : Zinc is more powerful reducing agent in comparison to copper.
Sol. Answer (1)
During the extraction of Ag, Zn is used for the reduction. Cu is a less electropositive metal and less reactive
than Zn. Due to high electropositive nature of Zn, zinc dust is used for the recovery of Ag from the complex
[Ag(CN)2]–.
12. A : Hydrometallurgy is used for extraction of Ag and Au.
R : Hydrometallurgy is different from pyrometallurgy.
Sol. Answer (2)
Hydrometallurgy is used for the extraction of Ag and Au in which they are treated with NaCN solution. This
process is known as leaching. Pyrometallurgy is thermal treatment of minerals and is different from
hydrometallurgy.
Therefore Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
13. A : Pure silver is obtained by electrolysis of AgNO3 solution.
R : In electrolysis impure silver is taken as cathode and pure silver is taken as anode.
Sol. Answer (3)
Pure silver can be obtained by electrolysis of AgNO3 solution. During its electrolysis, pure silver is taken as
cathode so the impure silver from the anode dissolves and pure silver is deposited at cathode made up of pure
silver.
Hence Assertion is true, Reason is false.
14. A : Carbon is used in blast furnace for reduction of Fe2O3.
B : This process is called smelting.
Sol. Answer (2)
Carbon is used as a reducing agent in the blast furnace for the reduction of Fe2O3 to obtain Fe. This process
of reduction is known as smelting. Reason is true but not the correct explanation of Assertion.
15. A : In Hall’s process Aluminium is purified.
B : Al2O3 (aq) is used in Hall’s process.
Sol. Answer (4)
Hall's process is a method of extraction of aluminium not of purification, Also in Hall's process molten Al2O3
is used. Therefore, both Assertion and Reason are false.
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