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Difference between revisions of "Smelting"

(About Smelting)
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===About Smelting===
 
===About Smelting===
 
: Any [[metal]] below [[Carbon]] on the [[Reactivity Series]] can be [[Extraction of Metals|extracted]] from its by [[smelting]] with [[Carbon]].
 
: Any [[metal]] below [[Carbon]] on the [[Reactivity Series]] can be [[Extraction of Metals|extracted]] from its by [[smelting]] with [[Carbon]].
: When the [[ore]] is [[melting|melted]] it [[Carbon]] is added and a [[Displacement Reaction|displacement reaction]] happens where the [[Carbon]] replaces the [[metal]] in the [[mineral]].
+
: When an [[ore]] containing a [[Metal Oxide|metal oxide]] is [[melting|melted]] [[Carbon]] is added and a [[Displacement Reaction|displacement reaction]] happens where the [[Carbon]] replaces the [[metal]] in the [[mineral]].
 +
: When an [[ore]] containing a [[Metal Carbonate|metal carbonate]] a [[Displacement Reaction|displacement reaction]] and a [[Thermal Decomposition|thermal decomposition reaction]] take place.
  
 
===Example Reactions===
 
===Example Reactions===

Revision as of 11:52, 25 January 2019

Key Stage 3

Meaning

Smelting is a process for extracting metals by heating and melting a mineral with carbon to cause a displacement reaction.

About Smelting

Any metal below Carbon on the Reactivity Series can be extracted from its by smelting with Carbon.
When the ore is melted it Carbon is added and a displacement reaction happens where the Carbon replaces the metal in the mineral.
SmeltingFurnace.png
The Carbon reacts with the mineral in a displacement reaction creating usually producing Carbon Dioxide and the pure metal which is removed from the furnace. Any impurities in the mineral rise to the top and make a layer called slag which is removed.

Example Reactions

Iron Oxide + Carbon → Carbon Dioxide + Iron
Zinc Oxide + Carbon → Carbon Dioxide + Zinc
Tin Oxide + Carbon → Carbon Dioxide + Tin
Lead Oxide + Carbon → Carbon Dioxide + Lead

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Smelting is a process for extracting metals by heating and melting a mineral with carbon to cause a displacement reaction.

About Smelting

Any metal below Carbon on the Reactivity Series can be extracted from its by smelting with Carbon.
When an ore containing a metal oxide is melted Carbon is added and a displacement reaction happens where the Carbon replaces the metal in the mineral.
When an ore containing a metal carbonate a displacement reaction and a thermal decomposition reaction take place.

Example Reactions

Iron Oxide + Carbon → Carbon Dioxide + Iron

<chem>2Fe2O3 + 3C -> 3CO2 + 4Fe</chem>

Zinc Oxide + Carbon → Carbon Dioxide + Zinc

<chem>2ZnO + C -> CO2 + 2Zn</chem>

Tin Oxide + Carbon → Carbon Dioxide + Tin

<chem>SnO2 + C -> CO2 + Sn</chem>

Lead Oxide + Carbon → Carbon Dioxide + Lead

<Chem>2PbO + C -> CO2 + 2Pb</chem>

Zinc Carbonate + Carbon → Carbon Dioxide + Zinc

<chem>2ZnCO3 + C -> 3CO2 + 2Zn</chem>

Copper Carbonate Hydroxide + Carbon → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Copper

<chem>Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 + C -> 2CO2 + H2O + 2Cu</chem>