NCERT Solutions for Class 12th Chemistry Chapter 6: General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements
Question 6.1:
Copper can be extracted by hydrometallurgy but not zinc. Explain.
Answer
The reduction potentials of zinc and iron are lower than that of copper. In hydrometallurgy, zinc and iron can be used to displace copper from their solution.
Hence, the extraction of copper from its pyrite ore is difficult than from its oxide ore through reduction.
Question 6.4:
Explain: (i) Zone refining (ii) Column chromatography.
Answer
(i) Zone refining:
This method is based on the principle that impurities are more soluble in the molten state of metal (the melt) than in the solid state. In the process of zone refining, a circular mobile heater is fixed at one end of a rod of impure metal. As the heater moves, the molten zone of the rod also moves with it. As a result, pure metal crystallizes out of the melt and the impurities pass onto the adjacent molten zone. This process is repeated several times, which leads to the segregation of impurities at one end of the rod. Then, the end with the impurities is cut off. Silicon, boron, gallium, indium etc. can be purified by this process.
(ii) Column chromatography:
Column chromatography is a technique used to separate different components of a mixture. It is a very useful technique used for the purification of elements available in minute quantities. It is also used to remove the impurities that are not very different in chemical properties from the element to be purified. Chromatography is based on the principle that different components of a mixture are differently adsorbed on an adsorbent. In chromatography, there are two phases: mobile phase and stationary phase. The stationary phase is immobile and immiscible. Al2O3 column is usually used as the stationary phase in column chromatography. The mobile phase may be a gas, liquid, or supercritical fluid in which the sample extract is dissolved. Then, the mobile phase is forced to move through the stationary phase. The component that is more strongly adsorbed on the column takes a longer time to travel through it than the component that is weakly adsorbed. The adsorbed components are then removed (eluted) using a suitable solvent (eluant).
Question 6.6:
Name the common elements present in the anode mud in electrolytic refining of copper. Why are they so present ?
Answer
In electrolytic refining of copper, the common elements present in anode mud are selenium, tellurium, silver, gold, platinum, and antimony.
These elements are very less reactive and are not affected during the purification process. Hence, they settle down below the anode as anode mud.
Question 6.7:
Write down the reactions taking place in different zones in the blast furnace during the extraction of iron.
Answer
During the extraction of iron, the reduction of iron oxides takes place in the blast furnace. In this process, hot air is blown from the bottom of the furnace and coke is burnt to raise the temperature up to 2200 K in the lower portion itself. The temperature is lower in the upper part. Thus, it is the lower part where the reduction of iron oxides (Fe2O3 and Fe3O4) takes place.
The reactions taking place in the lower temperature range (500 − 800 K) in the blast furnace are:
Question 6.8:
Write chemical reactions taking place in the extraction of zinc from zinc blende.
Answer
The different steps involved in the extraction of zinc from zinc blende (ZnS) are given below:
(i) Concentration of ore
First, the gangue from zinc blende is removed by the froth floatation method.
(ii) Conversion to oxide (Roasting)
Sulphide ore is converted into oxide by the process of roasting. In this process, ZnS is heated in a regular supply of air in a furnace at a temperature, which is below the melting point of Zn.
(iii) Extraction of zinc from zinc oxide (Reduction)
Zinc is extracted from zinc oxide by the process of reduction. The reduction of zinc oxide is carried out by mixing it with powdered coke and then, heating it at 673 K.
(iv) Electrolytic Refining
Zinc can be refined by the process of electrolytic refining. In this process, impure zinc is made the anode while a pure copper strip is made the cathode. The electrolyte used is an acidified solution of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4). Electrolysis results in the transfer of zinc in pure from the anode to the cathode.
Question 6.9:
State the role of silica in the metallurgy of copper.
Answer
During the roasting of pyrite ore, a mixture of FeO and Cu2O is obtained.
Question 6.10:
What is meant by the term “chromatography”?
Answer
Chromatography is a collective term used for a family of laboratory techniques for the separation of mixtures. The term is derived from Greek words ‘chroma’ meaning ‘colour’ and ‘graphein’ meaning ‘to write’. Chromatographic techniques are based on the principle that different components are absorbed differently on an absorbent. There are several chromatographic techniques such as paper chromatography, column
chromatography, gas chromatography, etc.
Question 6.11:
What criterion is followed for the selection of the stationary phase in chromatography?
Answer
The stationary phase is selected in such a way that the components of the sample have different solubility’s in the phase. Hence, different components have different rates of movement through the stationary phase and as a result, can be separated from each other.
Question 6.12:
Describe a method for refining nickel.
Answer
Nickel is refined by Mond’s process. In this process, nickel is heated in the presence of carbon monoxide to form nickel tetracarbonyl, which is a volatile complex.
Question 6.13:
How can you separate alumina from silica in bauxite ore associated with silica? Give equations, if any.
Answer
To separate alumina from silica in bauxite ore associated with silica, first the powdered ore is digested with a concentrated NaOH solution at 473 − 523 K and 35 − 36 bar pressure. This results in the leaching out of alumina (Al2O3) as sodium aluminate and silica (SiO2) as sodium silicate leaving the impurities behind.
Question 6.15:
How is ‘cast iron’ different from ‘pig iron”?
Answer
The iron obtained from blast furnaces is known as pig iron. It contains around 4%
carbon and many impurities such as S, P, Si, Mn in smaller amounts.
Cast iron is obtained by melting pig iron and coke using a hot air blast. It contains a lower amount of carbon (3%) than pig iron. Unlike pig iron, cast iron is extremely hard and brittle.
Question 6.16:
Differentiate between “minerals” and “ores”.
Answer
Minerals are naturally occurring chemical substances containing metals. They are found in the Earth’s crust and are obtained by mining.
Ores are rocks and minerals viable to be used as a source of metal. For example, there are many minerals containing zinc, but zinc cannot be extracted profitably (conveniently and economically) from all these minerals.
Zinc can be obtained from zinc blende (ZnS), calamine (ZnCO3), Zincite (ZnO) etc.
Thus, these minerals are called ores of zinc.
Question 6.17:
Why copper matte is put in silica lined converter?
Answer
Copper matte contains Cu2S and FeS. Copper matte is put in a silica-lined converter to remove the remaining FeO and FeS present in the matte as slag (FeSiO3). Also, some silica is added to the silica-lined converter. Then, a hot air blast is blown. As a result, the remaining FeS and FeO are converted to iron silicate (FeSiO3) and Cu2S is converted into metallic copper.
Question 6.18:
What is the role of cryolite in the metallurgy of aluminium?
Answer
Cryolite (Na3AlF6) has two roles in the metallurgy of aluminium:
1. To decrease the melting point of the mixture from 2323 K to 1140 K.
2. To increase the electrical conductivity of Al2O3.
Question 6.19:
How is leaching carried out in case of low grade copper ores?
Answer
In case of low grade copper ores, leaching is carried out using acid or bacteria in the presence of air. In this process, copper goes into the solution as Cu2+ ions.
Question 6.20:
Why is zinc not extracted from zinc oxide through reduction using CO?
Answer
The standard Gibbs free energy of formation of ZnO from Zn is lower than that of CO2 from CO. Therefore, CO cannot reduce ZnO to Zn. Hence, Zn is not extracted from ZnO through reduction using CO.
Reduction of ZnO to Zn is usually carried out at 1673 K. From the above figure, it can be observed that above 1073 K, the Gibbs free energy of formation of CO from C and above 1273 K, the Gibbs free energy of formation of CO2 from C is lesser than the Gibbs free energy of formation of ZnO. Therefore, C can easily reduce ZnO to Zn. On the other hand, the Gibbs free energy of formation of CO2 from CO is always higher than the Gibbs free energy of formation of ZnO. Therefore, CO cannot reduce ZnO.
Hence, C is a better reducing agent than CO for reducing ZnO.
Question 6.23:
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.
Answer
Question 6.24:
Name the processes from which chlorine is obtained as a by-product. What will happen if an aqueous solution of NaCl is subjected to electrolysis?
Answer
In the electrolysis of molten NaCl, Cl2 is obtained at the anode as a by product.
Question 6.27:
Outline the principles of refining of metals by the following methods:
(i) Zone refining
(ii) Electrolytic refining
(iii) Vapour phase refining
Answer
(i) Zone refining:
This method is based on the principle that impurities are more soluble in the molten state of metal (the melt) than in the solid state. In the process of zone refining, a circular mobile heater is fixed at one end of a rod of impure metal. As the heater moves, the molten zone of the rod also moves along with it. As a result, pure metal crystallizes out of the melt and the impurities pass to the adjacent molten zone. This process is repeated several times, which leads to the segregation of impurities at one end of the rod. Then, the end with the impurities is cut off. Silicon, boron, gallium, indium etc. can be purified by this process.
(ii) Electrolytic refining;
Electrolytic refining is the process of refining impure metals by using electricity. In this process, impure metal is made the anode and a strip of pure metal is made the cathode. A solution of a soluble salt of the same metal is taken as the electrolyte. When an electric current is passed, metal ions from the electrolyte are deposited at the cathode as pure metal and the impure metal from the anode dissolves into the electrolyte in the form of ions. The impurities present in the impure metal gets collected below the anode.
This is known as anode mud.
(iii) Vapour phase refining
Vapour phase refining is the process of refining metal by converting it into its volatile compound and then, decomposing it to obtain a pure metal. To carry out this process,
(i) the metal should form a volatile compound with an available reagent, and
(ii) the volatile compound should be easily decomposable so that the metal can be easily recovered.
Nickel, zirconium, and titanium are refined using this method.
Question 6.28:
Predict conditions under which Al might be expected to reduce MgO.
Answer
Above 1350°C, the standard Gibbs free energy of formation of Al2O3 from Al is less than that of MgO from Mg. Therefore, above 1350°C, Al can reduce MgO.
Text solution
Question 6.1:
Which of the ores mentioned in Table 6.1 can be concentrated by magnetic separation method?
Answer
If the ore or the gangue can be attracted by the magnetic field, then the ore can be concentrated by the process of magnetic separation. Among the ores mentioned in table 6.1, the ores of iron such as haematite (Fe2O3), magnetite (Fe3O4), siderite (FeCO3), and iron pyrites (FeS2) can be separated by the process of magnetic separation.
Question 6.2:
What is the significance of leaching in the extraction of aluminium?
Answer
In the extraction of aluminium, the significance of leaching is to concentrate pure alumina (Al2O3) from bauxite ore. Bauxite usually contains silica, iron oxide, and titanium oxide as impurities. In the process of leaching, alumina is concentrated by digesting the powdered ore with a concentrated solution of NaOH at 473-523 K and 35-36 bar. Under these conditions, alumina (Al2O3) dissolves as sodium meta-aluminate and silica (SiO2) dissolves as sodium silicate leaving the impurities behind.
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