Question

Two ores X and Y were taken. On heating these ores it was observed that (a) ore X gives ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ gas, and (b) ore Y gives ${\mathrm{SO}}_2$ gas. Write steps to convert these ores into metals, giving chemical equations of the reactions that take place.

Answer 1

Ore

• Ore is a mineral deposit in the Earth's crust that contains one or more valuable minerals.
• Copper, gold, and iron, which are crucial to commerce and trade, are found in the most valuable ore deposits.

Extraction of ore X

• On heating ore X gives carbon dioxide $\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$ gas.
• Hence it is a carbonate ore.

Steps for extraction of ore X

1.Calcination

• Calcination is the term used to describe the process of strongly heating the ore to form an oxide.
• The reaction is as follows:

${\mathrm{XCO}}_3\stackrel{∆}{\to }\mathrm{XO}+{\mathrm{CO}}_2$

2.Reduction

• The metal oxide is reduced with coke to produce metal.
• The reaction is as follows:

$\mathrm{XO}+\mathrm{C}\to \mathrm{X}+\mathrm{CO}$

Extraction of ore Y

• On heating, ore Y gives sulfur dioxide $\left({\mathrm{SO}}_2\right)$ gas.
• Hence it is a sulfide ore.

Steps for extraction of ore B

1. Roasting

• Roasting is a metallurgical process that involves heating ore below its melting point in the presence of excess air.
• The reaction is as follows:

$2\mathrm{YS}+3{\mathrm{O}}_2\stackrel{∆}{\to }2\mathrm{YO}+2{\mathrm{SO}}_2$

2. Reduction

• The metal oxide is reduced to metal by coke.
• The reaction is as follows:

$\mathrm{YO}+\mathrm{C}\to \mathrm{Y}+\mathrm{CO}$