Blue print and FAQs

Unit – 6: GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND PROCESS OF ISOLATION OF ELEMENTS

Total Marks from the chapter 04 (1+3)

Question numbers Part A (MCQ) : I - 7th, Part C: IV - 29th

2023 Annual Exam Paper

7. What is the role of NaCN in the separation of PbS by froth floatation method. (1)
a) Depressant b) Froth stabilizer c) Collector d) Reductant
Option a) Depressant

29. Explain the extraction of Blister copper from copper matte. Write the balanced equations for the
reactions taking place in the convertor. (3)
 Copper matte is a molten mixture of Cu2S and FeS
 Copper matte is transferred to a silica lined converter. Some silica is also added and hot air is blown to
convert Cu2S, CuO to the metallic copper.

2Cu2 S  3O2  2Cu2O  2SO2

2Cu2O  Cu2 S  6Cu  SO2
 Traces of FeS are removed as slag.
2FeS  3O2  2FeO  2SO2
FeO  SiO2  FeSiO3 (slag )

 The solidified copper obtained has blistered appearance due to the evolution of SO2 and so it is called
blister copper.

Model Question Paper for 2023 ( New pattern)

7. Pair of metals purified by van Arkel method is

a) Ni and Fe b) Ga and In c) Zr and Ti d) Ag and Au
Ans: c) Zr and Ti

29. Write the reactions involved in the process of leaching of bauxite ore to prepare pure alumina 3M
Ans:
Step 1: Digestion of powdered bauxite ore with concentrated NaOH at 473- 523K temperature and 35-36 bar
pressure. Here, alumina is leached out as sodium aluminate.
Al2O3 + 2NaOH + 3H2O → 2Na[Al(OH) 4]

Step 2: Neutralization of aluminate in solution by passing CO2 gas and precipitation of hydrated alumina by
seeding it with freshly prepared samples of hydrated Al2O3.

2Na[Al(OH)4] + CO2 → Al2O3.xH2O(s) + 2NaHCO3

Step 3: The hydrated Al2O3 is filtered, dried and heated to 1470K to get pure Al2O3.

Al2O3.xH2O 
1470 K
 Al2O3 + xH2O
Questions from 2022 Final Board Exam (Pattern was different)

1. Name the method used for concentration of sulphide ore? 1M

Froth Floatation method

2. What is the role of coke in the extraction of zinc from zinc oxide? Write the chemical equation.
2M
Coke is used as a reducing agent to get zinc from zinc oxide.
ZnO  C  coke,1673K
 Zn  CO

3. In the extraction of Aluminium by Hall – Heroult process, write overall cell reaction. What is the role
of Na3AlF6? On which electrode Aluminium metal deposits. 3M

Overall reaction: 2 Al2O3  3C  4 Al  3CO2

Role of Na3AlF6: To lower the melting point of the mixture and to increase the conductivity.
On which electrode Aluminium metal deposits: Cathode ( Negative electrode)

Frequently Asked Questions in last 5 years.

1. Explain the extraction of aluminium by Hall Heroult process.

Purified alumina (Al2O3) is mixed with Na3AlF6 (cryolite) or CaF2 to lower the melting point of the
mixture and to increase the conductivity. The mixture is fused and electrolysed using electrolytic cell
given below.

Anode:
C  O 2  CO  2e
C  2O 2  CO2  4e
Cathode:
Al 3  3e   Al
Overall cell reaction: 2 Al2O3  3C  4 Al  3CO2
2. Describe the steps involved in the leaching of bauxite to get pure alumina.
Step 1: Digestion of powdered bauxite ore with a concentrated NaOH at 473 -523K and 35-36 bar
pressure. During this process alumina is leached out as sodium aluminate.
Al2O3  2 NaOH  3H 2O  2 Na[ Al (OH )4 ]
Step 2: Neutralization of aluminate in solution by passing CO2 gas and precipitation of hydrated alumina
by seeding it with freshly prepared samples of hydrated Al2O3.
2 Na[ Al (OH )4 ]  CO2  Al2O3 .xH 2O  2 NaHCO3
Step 3: The hydrated Al2O3 is filtered, dried and heated to 1470K to get pure Al2O3.
Al2O3 .xH 2O  Al2O3  xH 2O

3. Explain Zone refining.

This method is based on the principle that the impurities are more soluble in the molten state than in the
solid state of the metal. A circular mobile heater is fixed at one end of a rod of the impure metal. The
molten zone moves along with the heater which is moved forward. As the heater moves forward, the pure
metal crystallises and the impurities pass on into the adjacent molten zone. The process is repeated
several times and the heater is moved in the same direction. At one end impurities get concentrated and
this end is cut off.
Applications: To produce semiconductors and purification of germanium and silicon.

4. Explain froth floatation method.

The powdered ore is mixed with water and little pine oil. Air is circulated into the mixture. The ore
particles are adsorbed on oil to form froth and gangue is wetted by water.
Ex: Zinc blende, Galena is concentrated by this method.

5. Explain magnetic separation method.

The powdered ore containing magnetic particles and non-magnetic particles are passed over a magnet.
The magnetic particles are attracted by the magnet and non-magnetic particles rae moved away from the
magnet.
Ex: Tin stone is concentrated by this method.

6. Explain Van Arkel method of refining Zirconium.

In this process the crude metal is heated in an evacuated vessel with iodine.
Zr  2I 2  ZrI 4
The metal iodide will be formed which decomposes on a tungsten filament upon electrically heated to
about 1800K. The pure metal is thus deposited on the filament.
ZrI 4  Zr  2I 2

7. Explain Mond’s process of refining nickel.

Nickel is heated in a stream of carbon monoxide forming a volatile complex, nickel tetracarbonyl.
330 350 K
Ni  4CO   Ni (CO) 4
The carbonyl is subjected to higher temperature so that it is decomposed giving the pure metal.
450  470 K
Ni (CO) 4   Ni  4CO

8. What are roasting and calcination?

Roasting: The process of heating the ore in the presence of excess air in a furnace is called as roasting.
Calcination: The process of heating the ore in the absence of air or in the limited supply or air in a furnace
is called as calcination.
9. What is the composition of copper matte?
Cu2S and FeS

10. Give an example for metal purified by Mond’s process.

Nickel

11. Name the method of refining silicon.

Zone refining

12. Name the depressant used in the separation of PbS and ZnS.
NaCN

13. Iron scraps are advisable and advantageous than zinc scraps for reducing the low grade copper ores.
Why?
Zinc scraps are more costlier than iron scraps so iron scraps are advisable and advantageous than zinc scraps for
reducing the low grade copper ores.

14. Describe the principle of leaching.

When the ore is treated with suitable solvent or chemical reagent, the ore s soluble in the solvent
and the gangue remains insoluble.
Example: bauxite ore is concentrated by this method to get alumina

15. What is the role of depressant (NaCN) in Forth-Flotation method?

In the case of an ore containing ZnS and PbS, the depressant used in NaCN. It selectively prevents Zns
from coming to the forth but allows Pbs to come with the forth.

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