Extraction of Zinc

Question 1

what is the name of the ore for extraction of zinc

Answer 1

zinc blende, ZnS

Question 2

describe stage 1

Answer 2

starting material is the zinc blende which is converted to zinc oxide
2ZnS + 3O₂ → 2ZnO + 2SO₂

Question 3

describe stage 2

Answer 3

the reducing agent is carbon monoxide which is formed in a series of reactions firstly
C + O₂ → CO₂

the carbon dioxide reacts with more coke to form carbon monoxide
CO₂ + C → 2CO

Question 4

describe stage 3

Answer 4

the carbon monoxide is a reducing agent and reduces zinc oxide to zinc
ZnO + CO → Zn + CO₂
solid + gas → gas + gas

Question 5

what state is zinc produced in

Answer 5

zinc is produced in gaseous state which passes out the furnace, is cooled and condensed in a tray placed at the top of the furnace

Question 6

what is the difference between extraction of iron and aluminium and zinc

Answer 6

zinc is collected at the top where as aluminium and iron is collected at the bottom

Question 7

state a uses of zinc

Answer 7

• zinc is used in the galvanising of iron and steel to prevent corrosion or rusting electrolytically
• zinc is used to make an alloy called brass which contains 30% zinc and 70% copper to make the alloy much harder