Pure white phosphorus is obtained by heating phosphate rocks with Silica and Coke in an electric furnace - True or False?
Pure white phosphorus is obtained by heating phosphate rocks with Silica and Coke in an electric furnace - True or False?
The correct option is B False
It is true that this is how white Phosphorus is extracted. But this still only yields impure white Phosphorus which is purified by converting the impure form into vapours and then condensing the vapours.
The production of elemental phosphorus starts with crude calcium phosphate (in the form of phosphate rocks), which is reduced with carbon and Silica in an electric arc furnace. The added Silica produces a slag of calcium silicate:
2Ca3(PO4)2+6SiO2+10C→6CaSiO3+10CO+P4
The molten slag be easily removed from the furnace. The phosphorus vaporizes and is then condensed to be later stored under water to prevent oxidation. For most other Phosphorus compounds, this P4 acts as the starting point. For example, the phosphorus produced is burned to form P4O10, which is then hydrolyzed to yield pure phosphoric acid.
It is true that this is how white Phosphorus is extracted. But this still only yields impure white Phosphorus which is purified by converting the impure form into vapours and then condensing the vapours.
The production of elemental phosphorus starts with crude calcium phosphate (in the form of phosphate rocks), which is reduced with carbon and Silica in an electric arc furnace. The added Silica produces a slag of calcium silicate:
2Ca3(PO4)2+6SiO2+10C→6CaSiO3+10CO+P4
The molten slag be easily removed from the furnace. The phosphorus vaporizes and is then condensed to be later stored under water to prevent oxidation. For most other Phosphorus compounds, this P4 acts as the starting point. For example, the phosphorus produced is burned to form P4O10, which is then hydrolyzed to yield pure phosphoric acid.
