/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 46 The carbon-based reduction metho... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

The carbon-based reduction method is NOT used for the extraction of [Adv. 2013] (a) Tin from \(\mathrm{SnO}_{2}\) (b) Iron from \(\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) (c) Aluminium from \(\mathrm{Al}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) (d) Magnesium from \(\mathrm{MgCO}_{3} \cdot \mathrm{CaCO}_{3}\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Carbon reduction is not used for aluminium from Al₂O₃.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Carbon Reduction

The carbon-based reduction method involves reducing metal oxides using carbon (or carbon monoxide) as a reducing agent. This is commonly used for metals such as iron and tin, which form more stable oxides that can be reduced by carbon.
02

Analyze Each Option

Consider each metal given in the options: - Tin (Sn) is reduced from SnO₂ by carbon. - Iron (Fe) is extracted from Fe₂O₃ using carbon in blast furnaces. - Aluminium (Al) requires electrolysis for extraction from Al₂O₃, as carbon cannot reduce its oxide. - Magnesium (Mg) is usually extracted from its ores using the electrolysis of molten salts, as it does not reduce with carbon.
03

Identify the Exception

From the analysis, you can see that carbon is not used in the extraction of aluminium from Al₂O₃. Aluminium has a very stable oxide which carbon cannot reduce, so electrolysis is used instead.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Carbon Reduction Method
The carbon reduction method is a technique in metallurgy used for extracting metals from their oxides. In this method, carbon, often as coke or charcoal, is used as a reducing agent. It works by removing the oxygen from metal oxides and forming carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide. This process is primarily applied to metals like iron and tin. The carbon reacts with the metal oxide, breaking the oxygen bonds and freeing the metal.
For example:
  • The extraction of iron from iron(III) oxide (\( \text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \)) uses carbon in a blast furnace, producing iron and carbon dioxide.
  • Tin can be obtained from tin(IV) oxide (\( \text{SnO}_2 \)) using a similar carbon reduction.
However, this method is not applicable for all metals, especially those with very stable metal oxides. Ensure you understand which metals can be reduced using carbon and which require other methods.
Extraction of Metals
Metal extraction involves obtaining metals from their natural mineral deposits. Based on chemical reactivity, different methods are employed to extract a given metal. Metals can either be extracted through:
  • Reduction: Such as the carbon reduction method, suitable for less reactive metals.
  • Electrometallurgy: Using electricity to extract metal from its oxide.
  • Hydrometallurgy: Utilizing aqueous chemistry for metal extraction, common for certain metals.
The appropriate method is selected according to the metal's reactivity and the stability of its compounds. For example, carbon reduction suits iron, but for reactive metals like aluminium and magnesium, more sophisticated methods like electrolysis are necessary.
Aluminium Extraction
Aluminium is extracted from its ore, bauxite, mainly composed of aluminium oxide (\( \text{Al}_2\text{O}_3 \)). Unlike iron or tin, its oxide is too stable for reduction by carbon. Aluminium extraction is achieved through the Bayer process, followed by electrolytic reduction known as the Hall-Héroult process.
In the Hall-Héroult process:
  • The purified aluminium oxide is dissolved in molten cryolite.
  • Electricity is passed through this solution, causing redox reactions that split the oxide into pure aluminium and oxygen gas.
This method highlights aluminium's need for electrolysis, given the ineffectiveness of simpler reduction techniques.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is a chemical process used to drive a non-spontaneous reaction with electricity. It is indispensable in the extraction of highly reactive metals like aluminium and magnesium. This process requires an electrolyte, usually in molten or aqueous form, where the ions can move freely.
In metal extraction, electrolysis works as follows:
  • The positive metal ions migrate to the cathode, where they gain electrons (reduction) and form the pure metal.
  • Simultaneously, at the anode, oxygen is released (oxidation), completing the circuit.
Electrolysis is crucial when oxides are too stable for reduction by carbon, offering a pathway to extract pure metal efficiently. Understanding the principles of electrolysis is key for metallurgy students, especially when dealing with metals that exhibit strong chemical bonds in their oxidized form.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Match the refining methods (Column I) with metals (Column II).. (I) Liquation (a) \(\mathrm{Zr}\) (II) Zone Refining (b) \(\mathrm{Ni}\) (III) Mond Process (c) Sn (IV) Van Arkel Method (d) Ga (a) (I) \(-(\mathrm{c}) ;(\mathrm{II})-(\mathrm{a}) ;(\mathrm{III})-(\mathrm{b}) ;(\mathrm{IV})-(\mathrm{d})\) (b) (I) - (b); (II) - (c); (III) - (d); (IV) - (a) (c) (I) \(-(\mathrm{c}) ;(\mathrm{II})-(\mathrm{d}) ;(\mathrm{III})-(\mathrm{b}) ;(\mathrm{IV})-(\mathrm{a})\) (d) (I) - (b); (II) - (d); (III) - (a)l (IV) - (c)

In the Hall-Heroult process, aluminium is formed at the cathode. The cathode is made out of: [Main Jan. 12, 2019 (I)] (a) Pure aluminium (b) Carbon (c) Copper (d) Platinum

In the cyanide extraction process of silver from argentite ore, the oxidising and reducing agents used are (a) \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{CO}\) respectively [2012] (b) \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{Zn}\) dust respectively (c) \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) and \(\mathrm{Zn}\) dust respectively (d) \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) and \(\mathrm{CO}\) respectively

(a) Write the chemical equations involved in the extraction of lead from galena by self reduction process. (b) Match the following extraction processes with the appropriate metals listed below : (i) Silver (A) Fused salt electrolysis (ii) Calcium (B) Carbon reduction (iii) Zinc (C) Carbon monoxide reduction (iv) Iron (D) Amalgamation (v) Copper (E) Self reduction

In the electrolysis of alumina, cryolite is added to : (a) lower the melting point of alumina (b) increase the electrical conductivity (c) minimise the anode effect (d) remove imnurities from alumina

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.