Name the chief forms of the occurrence of the following in the earth crust:
(a) aluminium, (b) calcium, (c) sodium, (d) lead.
Sodium metal cannot be obtained by the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride solution.
Write the chemical reactions involved in the extraction of metallic silver from argentite.
Silver ores and native gold have to be leached with metal cyanides. Suggest a reason for this.
Describe the principle of froth floatations process. What is the role of stabilizer and of a depressant? Give one example of each.
State briefly the principles which serve as basis for the following operations in metallurgy:
(i) Froth floation process.
(ii) Zone refinnting.
(iii) Refining by liquation.
What chemical principle is involved in choosing a reducing agent for gettting the metal from its oxide ore? Consider the metal oxides, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 and justify the choice of reducing agent in each case.
Highly electropositive elements are obtained by the electrolysis of their oxides, hydroxides or chlorides in fused state.
Extraction of less electropositive metals say Cr, Mn, Cu, Ca, Ni etc. can be done by heating their oxides with strong reducing agent e.g., CO + H2, Na, Al, Mg etc. The oxides of less electropositive metals like Pb, Fe, Zn, Sb and Cu are reduced by strongly heating with coal or coke.
Al2O3 is mixed with Na3AlF6 which lowers the melting point of the mix and brings conductivity. The fused Al2O3 is electrolysed steel cathode and graphite anode are used.