Smelting

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.

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 the ore is melted it Carbon is added and a displacement reaction happens where the Carbon replaces the metal in the mineral.

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>