Describe the extraction of metal from the sulphide
ore of zinc by giving chemical equation
Answers
Metals are usually found in nature as ores, combined with carbonates and sulphur.
Extraction of metals from their Sulphide Ores
To extract a metal from its sulphide ore, it is simply heated in the presence of oxygen. This process is known as roasting.
In case of metals of low reactivity, they are obtained simply by heating. For example,
2Cu₂S + 3O₂ ----------> 2Cu₂O + 2SO₂
2Cu₂O + Cu₂S ----------> 6Cu + SO₂
However, in the case of metals of middle reactivity, first, the metals oxides are obtained by roasting, ie, heating in presence of oxygen.
2ZnS + 3O₂ ----------> 2ZnO + 2SO₂
Extraction of metals from their carbonate ores
To extract metals from their carbonate ores, they are heated in absence of oxygen to obtain the metal oxides. This process is known as calcination.
ZnCO₃ ------------> ZnO + CO₂
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Once the metal oxide is obtained, the metal oxide is reduced by using coke. This process of reduction using coke is known as smelting. For example,
ZnO + C ----------> Zn + CO
Sometimes, reduction is done using carbon-monoxide also.
ZnO + CO --------> Zn + CO₂
Reduction can also be done using a metal of higher reactivity.
ZnO + 2Na ---------> Zn + Na₂O
Answer:
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