Chapter 6

General Principles and Processes of

Isolation of Elements

Solutions

SECTION - A
Objective Type Questions
(Occurrence of metals and thermodynamical principles of metallurgy)

1. Which of the following is not correctly matched?

(1) Chalcopyrites → CuFeS2
(2) Smithsonite → ZnCO3
(3) Magnetite → Fe3O4
(4) Argentite → Na3AlF6
Sol. Answer (4)
Argentite is Ag2S whereas Na3AlF6 is cryolite. Therefore option (4) is not correctly matched.

2. Which of the following is not a mineral of aluminium?

(1) Bauxite (2) Cryolite (3) China clay (4) Malachite
Sol. Answer (4)
Malachite is not a mineral of aluminium. Malachite is CuCO3⋅Cu(OH)2, an are of copper.

3. Which of the following is acidic flux?

(1) CaO (2) MgO (3) SiO2 (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (3)
SiO2 is an acidic oxide and used as an acidic flux to remove basic impurities in the form of slag.

FeO + SiO 2 ⎯⎯
→ FeSiO 2
slag

SiO2 is used in metallurgy of Cu to remove FeO.

4. In the metallurgy of iron, the slag is

(1) FeSiO3 (2) CaCO3 (3) CaSiO3 (4) CaO
Sol. Answer (3)
In the metallurgy of iron, the impurity is SiO2 and it is removed as CaSiO3 by using CaO.

SiO 2 + CaO ⎯⎯
→ CaSiO 3

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52 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solutions of Assignment (Set-2)

5. Which of the following is concentrated by magnetic separation method?

(1) Pyrolusite MnO2 (2) Chromite ore FeO⋅Cr2O3
(3) Magnetite Fe3O4 (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (4)
Pyrolusite (MnO2), Chromite ore (FeO⋅Cr2O3) and Magnetite (Fe3O4) are magnetic in nature and can be
concentrated by magnetic separation method.

6. Which of the following is commonly used to produce foam in froth floatation process?
(1) Pine oil (2) Cresol (3) NaCN (4) Xanthate
Sol. Answer (1)
In froth floatation process, pine oil is used to produce foam and work as collector/transforming agent.

7. Serpeck’s method involves the heating of bauxite with

(1) NaOH (2) Na2CO3 (3) N2 + C (4) CaCO3
Sol. Answer (3)
In Serpeck's method white bauxite is heated with coke in presence of N2 gas.
Δ
Al 2O 3 + N 2 + 3C ⎯⎯ → 3CO + 2AlN

→ NH 3 + 2Al ( OH) 3
AlN + 3H 2O ⎯⎯

Aluminium nitride formed in 1st step is reacted with water to produce Al(OH)3 which gives Al2O3 on ignition.

8. Sulphide ore is converted to oxide form by using the process

(1) Calcination (2) Roasting (3) Smelting (4) Leaching
Sol. Answer (2)
Sulphide ores are generally roasted in free supply of air below their melting point

2ZnS + 3O 2 ⎯⎯
→ 2ZnO + 2SO 2

9. Which of the following has the lowest percentage of carbon in it?

(1) Pig iron (2) Cast iron (3) Wrought iron (4) Haematite
Sol. Answer (3)
Wrought iron is the purest form of iron and contains least amount of carbon (upto 0.5%).

10. Roasting of sulphide ore is generally performed in

(1) Muffle furnace (2) Bessemer converter (3) Blast furnace (4) Reverberatory furnace
Sol. Answer (4)
Roasting of sulphide ore is generally performed in reverberatory furnace.

11. Which of the following is leached with NaCN?

(1) Ore of Al (2) Ore of Cu (3) Ore of Ag (4) Ore of Zn
Sol. Answer (3)
Ore of Ag is leached with NaCN during extraction of Ag

→ 4 [ Au ( CN) 2 ] ( aq) + 4OH (–aq)

4Au(s) + 8CN (–aq) + 2H 2O ( aq) + O 2 ( g) ⎯⎯
–

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Solutions of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 53
(Ellingham diagrams)

12. Ellingham diagrams are plots of ΔG°f Vs T for the formation of

(1) Oxides (2) Halides (3) Sulphides (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (4)
Ellingham diagram is plotted graphs of formation of oxides, sulphides and halides versus temperature.

13. Which of the following statement is correct w.r.t. the following graph?

2Mg + O2 → 2MgO
0
–900 4 Al + O → 2 Al O
3 2 3 2 3
ΔG° –1000
–1
kJ mol

–1100

T 1623 K
(1) Below 1623 K, Mg reduces Al2O3 (2) Above 1623 K, Al reduces MgO
(3) Both (1) & (2) are correct (4) Both (1) & (2) are wrong
Sol. Answer (3)
The Ellingham diagram, the element which is present below can reduce the metal which is present above
it. Below 1623 K, Mg can reduce Al2O3 since curve of Mg lies below the curve of Al2O3 below 1623 K but
after 1623 K curve of Al2O3 is present below the slope of Mg, so after 1623 K, Al can reduce MgO.

14. In Ellingham diagrams of ΔfG oxide formation Vs T, which of the following graphs has negative slope?
(1) C → CO (2) Fe → Fe2O3 (3) Mg → MgO (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (1)
In Ellingham diagram the slope of C → CO is negative because entropy change is negative. Therefore, ΔG
becomes more negative with increase in temperature.

15. Which of the following is incorrect w.r.t. metallurgy of iron in the blast furnace?
(1) Zone of combustion : C + O2 → CO2 (2) Zone of heat absorbtion : CO2 → C + O2
(3) Zone of slag formation : CaO + SiO2 → CaSiO3 (4) Zone of reduction : Fe2O3 + 3C → 3CO + 2Fe
Sol. Answer (2)
Zone of heat absorbtion : CO2 → C + O2
In zone of heat absorption CO2 reacts with coke to reduce the temperature
C + CO2 → 2CO.
(Electrochemical principles of metallurgy)
16. Which metal is used for extraction of Au and Ag and also for galvanisation of iron objects?
(1) Mg (2) Zn (3) Cr (4) Co
Sol. Answer (2)
Zinc is used as reducing agent for the extraction of Au and Ag.

Zn(s) + 2 [ Au ( CN) 2 ] aq ⎯⎯
→ 2Au(s) + [ Zn ( CN) 4 ] aq
– 2–

Zinc being a more electropositive metal used for the galvanization of iron to prevent it from rusting.

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54 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solutions of Assignment (Set-2)

17. Which of the following oxides cannot be reduced by auto or self reduction?
(1) HgO (2) Cu2O (3) PbO (4) Al2O3
Sol. Answer (4)
Less reactive metals like Cu, Hg and Pb form unstable sulphides which can undergo auto-oxidation. Al is
reactive metal and does not undergo auto-oxidation.

18. Which of the following is used as reducing agent in Gold schmidt method?
(1) Al (2) K (3) C (4) Mg
Sol. Answer (1)
In Gold Schmidt method, aluminium is used as reducing agent

3Mn 3O 4 + 8Al ⎯⎯
→ 4Al 2O 3 + 9Mn

19. Which of the following is used to reduce TiCl4 to Ti?

(1) C (2) Al (3) Mg (4) H2
Sol. Answer (3)
In Kroll's process for titanium, Mg is used as reducing agent

TiCl 4 + 2Mg ⎯⎯
→ 2MgCl 2 + Ti

20. Zinc is extracted from zinc blende by

(1) Carbon reduction process (2) Nitrogen reduction process
(3) Oxygen reduction process (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (1)
Zinc is extracted from zinc blende by carbon reduction process

2ZnS + 3O 2 ⎯⎯
→ 2ZnO + 2SO 2

1673 K
ZnO + C ⎯⎯⎯⎯ → Zn + CO

21. Hall Heroult method is used for the extraction of

(1) Ti (2) Al (3) Au (4) Zn
Sol. Answer (2)
Hall Heroult method is used for the extraction of aluminium. The overall reaction is

2Al 2O 3 + 3C ⎯⎯
→ 4Al + 3CO 2

22. The process of converting hydrated alumina into anhydrous alumina is called
(1) Roasting (2) Calcination (3) Dressing (4) Smelting
Sol. Answer (2)
The conservation of hydrated oxides ores to their oxides by heating in the absence of O2 below their melting
point is called calcination. For example,
Δ
Al 2O 3 ⋅ xH 2O ⎯⎯ → Al 2O 3 +xH 2O

23. Extraction of zinc from zinc blende is achieved by

(1) Electrolytic reduction (2) Roasting followed by reduction with carbon
(3) Roasting followed by reduction with another metal (4) Roasting followed by self reduction
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Solutions of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 55
Sol. Answer (2)
Zinc is first roasted to form ZnO
Δ 1
ZnS + 2O 2 ⎯⎯ → ZnO + SO 2 + O
2 2
The zinc oxide formed is reduced by using carbon
1673 K
ZnO + C ⎯⎯⎯⎯ → Zn + CO

24. Which of the following gives metal by electrolytic reduction conveniently and profitably?
(1) PbO (2) Fe2O3 (3) Cr2O3 (4) Al2O3
Sol. Answer (4)
Aluminium can be profitabily and conveniently obtained by electrolytic reduction process.

25. Which of the following metal can be extracted by self reduction process?
(1) Pb (2) Hg (3) Cu (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (4)
Oxides of less reactive metal can undergo self reduction to produce metal. Oxides of Cu, Pb and Hg can
undergo self reduction or auto reduction.
(Refining)

26. Poling is used for purification of metals having impurities of

(1) Metal sulphides (2) Metal carbonates
(3) Metal bicarbonates (4) Metal oxides
Sol. Answer (4)
Poling method is used to purify a metal that has its oxide as impurity used for refining of Cu and Sn.

27. Impure zinc, as collected from earthen clay retort, is called

(1) Blister zinc (2) Pig zinc (3) Zinc spelter (4) Cast zinc
Sol. Answer (3)
During extraction of zinc when Zn metal is distilled off and collected by rapid chilling, the impure zinc is called
spelter and contains Cd, Pb and Fe as major impurities.

28. Which of the following metal is purified by distillation process?

(1) Zn (2) Fe (3) Al (4) Cu
Sol. Answer (1)
Zn is distilled in horizontal earthen clay retort or vertical retort.

29. Vapour phase refining can be carried out in case of

(1) Ni (2) Zr (3) Ti (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (4)
Vapour phase refining is used for the purification of Ti, Zr and Ni. These metals form stable volatile compounds
which on strong heating produces pure metal.
1700 K
Til 4 (g) ⎯⎯⎯ ⎯→ Ti + 2I 2

2070 K
ZrI 4 (g) ⎯⎯⎯⎯ → Zr(s) + 2I 2 (g)

Ni ( CO) 4 (g) ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

450 – 470 K
→ Ni + 4CO

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56 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solutions of Assignment (Set-2)

30. Which of the following is not a method of purification of metals?

(1) Liquation (2) Distillation (3) Zone refining (4) Galvanisation
Sol. Answer (4)
In galvanisation process, Zn is used to protect iron from rusting. It is not a method of purification of metal.

SECTION - B
Objective Type Questions
(Occurrence of metals and thermodynamical principles of metallurgy)

1. A substance which reacts with gangue to form fusible material is called

(1) Flux (2) Catalyst (3) Ore (4) Slag
Sol. Answer (1)
Flux is a substance used to react with impurities to form fusible substance. For example, SiO2, CaO etc.

2. Cyanide process is used for the extraction of

(1) Au (2) Cu (3) Zn (4) Fe
Sol. Answer (1)
Cyanide process is used for the extraction of Au and Ag

→ 4 [ Au ( CN) 2 ] ( aq) + 4OH –

–
4Au(s) + 8CN (–aq) + 2H 2O(aq) + O 2 (g) ⎯⎯

Zn(s) + 2 [ Au(CN) 2 ] ( aq) ⎯⎯

→ 2Au(s) + [ Zn ( CN) 4 ] ( aq)
– 2–

3. Calcination is the process in which

(1) Heating the ore in presence of air (2) Heating the ore in absence of air
(3) Heating in vacuum (4) Heating of ore in presence of N2
Sol. Answer (2)
Calcination process is heating of hydrated oxides, carbonate to convert them into oxides, in the absence of
oxygen
Δ
Fe 2O 3 ⋅ XH 2O(s) ⎯⎯ → Fe 2O 3 (s) + xH 2O ↑

4. Which of the following is not a concentration technique?

(1) Levigation (2) Froth- flotation (3) Leaching (4) Calcination
Sol. Answer (4)
Calcination is not a method of concentration of ore. It is used for the conversion of carbonate, hydroxides,
hydrated oxides into corresponding oxide.

5. The ores that are concentrated by Froth flotation method are

(1) Carbonate (2) Sulphides (3) Oxides (4) Phosphates
Sol. Answer (2)
Froath floatation process is used for the concentration of sulphide ores.

6. In blast furnace, iron oxide is reduced by

(1) Silica (2) CO (3) H2S (4) Lime stone

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Solutions of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 57
Sol. Answer (2)
In blast furnace iron oxide is reduced by carbon monoxide

Fe 3O 4 + CO ⎯⎯
→ 3FeO + CO 2

FeO + CO ⎯⎯
→ Fe + CO 2

7. The silver complex formed during cyanide process is

(1) Na2[Ag(CN)] (2) Na[AgCN] (3) Na2[Ag(CN)2] (4) Na[Ag(CN)2]
Sol. Answer (4)
During cyanide process Na[Ag(CN)2] is formed

→ 4Na [ Ag ( CN) 2 ] + 4NaOH

4Ag + 8NaCN + 2H 2O + O 2 ⎯⎯

8. Zincite and calamine respectively are

(1) Oxide and carbonate ore of Zn (2) Carbonate and oxide ore of Zn
(3) Oxide and sulphate ore of Zn (4) Sulphate and sulphite ore of Zn
Sol. Answer (1)

Zincite ⎯⎯
→ ZnO (zinc Oxide)

Calamine ⎯⎯
→ ZnCO 3 (zinc Carbonate)

9. Which of the following is chalcopyrite?

(1) CuFeS2 (2) FeS2 (3) KMgCl3.6H2O (4) Al2O3.2H2O
Sol. Answer (1)
CuFeS2 is called chalcopyrites. Also known as copper pyrites and Fool's gold.

10. The alloy used in dental filling contains

(1) Ag and Sn (2) Ag and Sb (3) Hg, Ag and Sn (4) Hg, Ag and Sb
Sol. Answer (3)
In dental filling, the alloy used consist of (50%) Hg, Ag (22.23%) and Sn (~ 14%).

11. What is the slag formed from P2O5 impurity in metallurgy of iron?
(1) Ca3(PO4)2 (2) CaSiO3 (3) Fe3(PO4)2 (4) FeSiO3
Sol. Answer (1)
In the metallurgy of iron, slag formed P2O5 is Ca3(PO4)2

→ Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2
P2O 5 + 3CaO ⎯⎯

12. Which of the following oxide is thermally least stable?

(1) CaO (2) Al2O3 (3) Fe2O3 (4) Ag2O
Sol. Answer (4)
Due to small size of Ag2+, it has very small size. This small size of Ag2+ gives Ag2O more covalent character
than CaO, Al2O3 and Fe2O3. Since covalent oxides are thermally stable than ionic oxides, Ag2O is thermally
least stable.

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58 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solutions of Assignment (Set-2)

13. Thomas slag is

(1) Calcium silicate (2) Anode mud (3) FeSiO3 (4) Calcium phosphate
Sol. Answer (4)
Thomas slag is Ca3(PO4)2, a by-product of steel industry.
(Electrochemical principles of metallurgy)
14. Which of the following metal can be extracted without using reducing agent?
(1) Sn (2) Pb (3) Fe (4) Both (1) & (2)
Sol. Answer (2)
Oxides of less reactive metals like Pb can undergo auto reduction and the metal can be extracted without
using reducing agent.

15. Which of the following metal is extracted by using coke and carbon monoxide as reducing agent?
(1) Na (2) Cu (3) Fe (4) Al
Sol. Answer (3)

Fe 2O 3 + C ⎯⎯
→ 3CO + Fe
Fe 2O 4 + C ⎯⎯
→ 3FeO + CO 2
FeO + CO ⎯⎯
→ Fe + CO 2
Fe can be extracted by using coke and carbon monoxide.

16. Which of the following metal is extracted by the use of cyanide solution?
(1) Pb (2) Zn (3) Mn (4) Ag
Sol. Answer (4)
Ag can be extracted by using solution of cyanide ion

→ 4 [ AgCN 2 ] ( aq) + 4OH –

4Ag(s) + 8CN (–aq) + 2H 2O ( aq) + O 2 ( g) ⎯⎯
–

Zn(s) + 2 [ Ag ( CN) 2 ] ( aq) ⎯⎯

→ 2Ag(s) + [ Zn ( CN) 4 ] ( aq)
– 2–

17. Electrolytic reduction method is used for extraction of

(1) Highly electronegative elements (2) Transition metals
(3) Highly electropositive elements (4) Metalloids
Sol. Answer (3)
Electrolytic reduction method is used for extraction of highly electropositive elements because they are highly
reactive and very difficult to extract from other processes.
18. Which of the following metals cannot be extracted by carbon reduction process?
(1) Pb (2) Al (3) Hg (4) Zn
Sol. Answer (2)
Aluminium cannot be extracted by carbon reduction process because reduction of oxides of aluminium with
carbon requires a very high temperature of about 2000°C as shown in Ellingham diagram.

19. What will happen, if anode is made of nickel instead of graphite in the extraction of aluminium from AlCl3?
(1) Nickel will be affected by high temperature (2) Nickel will combine with Cl2
(3) Nickel is insulator (4) All of these
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Solutions of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 59
Sol. Answer (2)
Nickel combines with Cl2

2AlCl 3 + 3Ni ⎯⎯
→ 2Al + 3NiCl 2

At cathode, Al 3+ (melt ) + 3e – ⎯⎯
→ Al(l)

At anode, Ni(s) + 2Cl – ⎯⎯

→ NiCl 2 + 2e –

20. When molten NaCl is electrolysed by using inert electrode, the product obtained at cathode is
(1) Na (2) Cl2 (3) H2 (4) Na-Hg amalgam
Sol. Answer (1)
When molten NaCl is used in electrolysis, the product obtained at cathode is sodium (Na)

At cathode, Na + (melt) + e – ⎯⎯
→ Na(l)

21. Which of the following give respective metal by self reduction?

(1) Galena PbS (2) HgS (3) ZnS (4) Both (1) & (2)
Sol. Answer (4)
Both PbS and HgS on roasting undergo auto reduction to give respective metal

Δ Δ
PbS + O 2 ⎯⎯⎯
– SO 2
→ PbO + PbS ⎯⎯ → Pb + SO 2
Δ Δ
HgS + O 2 ⎯⎯⎯
–SO 2
→ HgO + HgS ⎯⎯ → Hg + SO 2

22. Which of the following statement is incorrect?

(1) Al2O3 cannot be reduced into Al by Cr2O3 (2) Ca is stronger reducing agent than Mg
(3) At 673 K, CO is poor reducing agent than carbon (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (3)
At higher temperature Al2O3 can be reduced by Cr.

23. By which process zinc is extracted from zinc blende?

(1) Electrolytic reduction (2) Roasting followed by reduction with carbon
(3) Calcination followed by reduction with carbon (4) Roasting followed by self reduction
Sol. Answer (2)
Roasting followed by reduction with carbon

Δ
2ZnS + 3O 2 ⎯⎯ → 2ZnO + 2SO 2 (Roasting)
1400° C
ZnO + C ⎯⎯⎯⎯ → Zn + CO (Reduction with CO)

(Refining)

24. Which of the following is not a refining process?

(1) Mond’s process (2) Van-Arkel process (3) Poling (4) Leaching

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60 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solutions of Assignment (Set-2)

Sol. Answer (4)

Leaching is a method of extraction of metal. Mond's process, Van-Arkel process and poling are used for refining
of metals.

25. From gold amalgam, gold may be recovered by

(1) Distillation (2) Oxidation
(3) Electrolytic refining (4) Dissolving in HNO3
Sol. Answer (1)
From gold amalgam, gold may be recovered by distillation process since Hg is as metal with low BP, it will
boil first and will separate out from gold.

SECTION - C
Previous Years Questions
1. Extraction of gold and silver involves leaching with CN– ion. Silver is later recovered by [NEET-2017]
(1) Liquation (2) Distillation (3) Zone refining (4) Displacement with Zn
Sol. Answer (4)
Zn being more reactive than Ag and Au, displaces them.
From Native ore,
Leaching
4Ag + 8NaCN + 2H2O + O2 ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ 4Na[Ag(CN)2 ] + 4NaOH
Soluble
Sodium dicyanoargentate(I)

Displacement
2Na[Ag(CN)2] + Zn ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ → Na2[Zn(CN)4] + 2Ag↓
2. Match items of Column I with the items of Column II and assign the correct option: [NEET-2016]

Column I Column II
(a) Cyanide process (i) Ultrapure Ge
(b) Froth floatation (ii) Dressing of ZnS
process
(c) Electrolytic (iii) Extraction of Al
reduction
(d) Zone refining (iv) Extraction of Au
(v) Purification of Ni

(1) a(iii), b(iv), c(v), d(i) (2) a(iv), b(ii), c(iii), d(i) (3) a(ii), b(iii), c(i), d(v) (4) a(i), b(ii), c(iii), d(iv)
Sol. Answer (2)
Fact.
3. Aluminium is extracted from alumina (Al2O3) by electrolysis of a molten mixture of [AIPMT (Prelims)-2012]
(1) Al2O3 + Na3AIF6 + CaF2 (2) Al2O3 + KF + Na3AIF6
(3) Al2O3 + HF + NaAIF4 (4) Al2O3 + CaF2 + NaAIF4
Sol. Answer (1)
During extraction of aluminium by electrolysis, a molten mixture of Al2O3, Na3AlF6, CaF2 is used. CaF2 is used
as flux and Na3AlF6 is the main electrolyte.

The overall reaction is 2Al 2O 3 + 3C ⎯⎯

→ 4Al + 3CO 2
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Solutions of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 61
4. In the extraction of copper from its sulphide ore, the metal is finally obtained by the reduction of cuprous oxide with
[AIPMT (Prelims)-2012]
(1) Iron sulphide (FeS) (2) Carbon monoxide (CO)
(3) Copper (Ι) sulphide (Cu2S) (4) Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
Sol. Answer (3)
In the final step of extraction of copper, Cu2O is reduced with the help of Cu2S.

CU 2S + 2Cu 2O ⎯⎯
→ 6Cu + SO 2 .
5. Identify the alloy containing a non-metal as a constituent in it [AIPMT (Prelims)-2012]
(1) Bell metal (2) Bronze (3) Invar (4) Steel
Sol. Answer (4)
6. Which one of the following is a mineral of iron ? [AIPMT (Prelims)-2012]
(1) Pyrolusite (2) Magnetite (3) Malachite (4) Cassiterite
Sol. Answer (2)
Magnetite (Fe3O4) is a mineral of iron.
7. Which of the following pairs of metals is purified by Van Arkel method? [AIPMT (Prelims)-2011]
(1) Ni and Fe (2) Ga and In (3) Zr and Ti (4) Ag and Au
Sol. Answer (3)
Van Arkel method is used to collect ultra pure titanium and zirconium by using I2 as specific reagent.
8. Which of the following elements is present as the impurity to the maximum extent in the pig iron?
[AIPMT (Prelims)-2011]
(1) Phosphorus (2) Manganese (3) Carbon (4) Silicon
Sol. Answer (3)
Carbon is the major impurity in the pig iron. Pig iron contains about 4% carbon.
9. The following reactions take place in the blast furnace in the preparation of impure iron. Identify the reaction
pertaining to the formation of the slag [AIPMT (Mains)-2011]
(1) CaO(s) + SiO2(s) → CaSiO3(s) (2) 2C(s) + O2(g) → 2CO(g)
(3) Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) → 2Fe(l) + 3CO2(g) (4) CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)
Sol. Answer (1)
In the blast furnace during the extraction of iron SiO2 is present as impurity and CaO is used as flux to remove
SiO2 in the form of CaSiO3 (slag).
10. Match List-I (substances) with List-II (process) employed in the manufacture of the substances and select the
correct option
List - I (Substances) List - II (Processes)
a. Sulphuric acid (i) Haber's process
b. Steel (ii) Bessemer's process
c. Sodium hydroxide (iii) Leblanc process
d. Ammonia (iv) Contact process [AIPMT (Mains)-2010]
(1) a(i), b(iv), c(ii), d(iii) (2) a(i), b(ii), c(iii), d(iv) (3) a(iv), b(iii), c(ii), d(i) (4) a(iv), b(ii), c(iii), d(i)
Sol. Answer (4)
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62 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solutions of Assignment (Set-2)

11. Which of the following statements, about the advantage of roasting sulphide ore before reduction is not true?
[AIPMT (Prelims)-2007]
(1) Roasting of the sulphide to the oxide is thermodynamically feasible
(2) Carbon and hydrogen are suitable reducing agents for metal sulphides

(3) The ΔfG° of the sulphide is greater than those for CS2 and H2S
(4) The ΔfG° is negative for roasting of sulphide ore to oxide

Sol. Answer (2)

12. Sulphides ores of metals are usually concentrated by Froth Floatation process. Which one of the following
sulphides ores offers an exception and is concentrated by chemical leaching ? [AIPMT (Prelims)-2007]
(1) Sphalerite (2) Argentite (3) Galena (4) Copper pyrite
Sol. Answer (2)
13. The mass of carbon anode consumed (giving only carbondioxide) in the production of 270 kg of aluminium metal
from bauxite by the Hall process is (Atomic mass Al= 27) [AIPMT (Prelims)-2005]
(1) 180 kg (2) 270 kg (3) 540 kg (4) 90 kg
Sol. Answer (4)
14. In which of the following process fused sodium chloride is electrolysed for extraction of sodium?
(1) Castner process (2) Cyanide process (3) Down's process (4) Both (2) & (3)
Sol. Answer (3)
Na is extracted by the electrolysis of fused sodium chloride by Down's process in which Na is collected at
cathode.
15. Which of the following does not contain aluminium?
(1) Cryolite (2) Fluorspar (3) Feldspar (4) Mica
Sol. Answer (2)
Fluorspar is CaF2. Also known as fluorite and does not contain aluminium.
16. Which of the following does not contain Mg?
(1) Magnetite (2) Asbestos (3) Magnesite (4) Carnalite
Sol. Answer (1)
Magnetite is Fe3O4, an are of iron and it does not contain magnesium.
17. Carborundum is
(1) CaC2 (2) CaCO3 (3) Fe3C (4) SiC
Sol. Answer (4)
Carborundum is SiC, silicon carbide. It is a very hard substance which is used as abrasive.
18. Bessemer converter is used for manufacture of
(1) Steel (2) Wrought iron (3) Pig iron (4) Cast iron
Sol. Answer (1)
Steel is commonly prepared in Bessemer converter. Steel contains 0.1 to 1.7% carbon.
19. Mond's process is used for
(1) Ni (2) Al (3) Fe (4) Cu

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Solutions of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 63
Sol. Answer (1)
Mond's process is used for refining of Ni
330–350 K
Ni + 4CO ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ → Ni ( CO) 4
Impure Volatile

Ni ( CO) 4 ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
450–470 K
→ NI + 4CO
Pure

20. Which process of purification is represented by following scheme?

250ºC 1400ºC
Ti + 2I2 ⎯⎯⎯⎯ → TiI4 ⎯⎯⎯⎯ → Ti + 2I2
(Impure) (Pure)

(1) Poling (2) Electro refining (3) Zone refining (4) van Arkel process
Sol. Answer (4)
In Van Arkel process titanium and zirconium are purified by using I2 as specific reagent.
21. Which of the following sulphides when heated strongly in air gives the corresponding metal?
(1) CuS (2) Fe2S3 (3) FeS (4) HgS
Sol. Answer (4)
HgS undergo auto reduction and gives the Hg metal on strong heating.
O 2 /Δ Δ
HgS ⎯⎯⎯
– SO 2
→ HgO + HgS ⎯⎯ → Hg + SO 2

22. Most important ore of tin is

(1) Cassiterite (2) Cryolite (3) Malachite (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (1)
The most important ore of tin is cassiterite (SnO2).
23. Heating of ore in presence of air to remove sulphur impurities is called
(1) Calcination (2) Roasting (3) Smelting (4) None of these
Sol. Answer (2)
Heating of sulphide ore in presence of air to get corresponding oxide is called roasting
Δ
For example, 2ZnS + 3O 2 ⎯⎯ → 2ZnO + 2SO 2 .
24. Sodium is extracted from
(1) NaCl(aq) (2) NaCl(l) (3) NaOH(aq) (4) NaNO3(aq)
Sol. Answer (2)
Sodium is extracted by electrolysis of molten NaCl. Na metal is collected at cathode and gives Cl2 at anode.
25. Among the metals, the one that cannot be obtained by reduction of its metal oxide
(1) Cr (2) Fe (3) Mn (4) Mg
Sol. Answer (4)
In Ellingham diagram, the slope of Mg ⎯→ MgO lies well below the slope of C ⎯→ CO. A very high
temperature is required for the reduction of Mg. Therefore, Mg cannot be obtained by its reduction.
26. Which of the following is used as depressant in the separation of mixture of PbS and ZnS?
(1) NaCN (2) NaCl (3) AgCl (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (1)
During the concentration of sulphide ores using froath floatation process, NaCN is used to separate PbS and
ZnS. NaCN reacts with ZnS and forms Na2[Zn(CN)4] therefore, acts as depressants.

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64 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solutions of Assignment (Set-2)

27. Which contains both iron and copper?

(1) Cuprite (2) Chalcocite (3) Chalcopyrite (4) Malachite
Sol. Answer (3)
Chalcopyrite contains both Cu and Fe. Chalcopyrite is CuFeS2.
28. To dissolve argentite ore which of the following is used?
(1) Na[Ag(CN)2] (2) NaCN (3) NaCl (4) HCl
Sol. Answer (2)
Argentite is dissolved using NaCN
→ Na 2SO 4 + 2Na [ Ag ( CN) 2 ]
Ag S + 4NaCN + 2O 2 ⎯⎯
2
Argentite

29. Iron obtained from blast furnace is

(1) Wrought iron (2) Cast iron (3) Pig iron (4) Steel
Sol. Answer (3)
Iron obtained from blast furnace is pig iron. It contains about 4% carbon with many other impurities like S,
P, S8, Mn etc.
30. Elements used as semiconductor are purified by
(1) Van Arkel method (2) Mond process (3) Distillation (4) Zone refining
Sol. Answer (4)
Semiconductor like Si, Ge, Ga etc can be purified by using zone refining method.
31. Which of the following oxide is least stable?
(1) CO2 (2) CO (3) MgO (4) HgO
Sol. Answer (4)
HgO is least stable oxide because +1 oxidation state of Hg is more stable.
32. The inner layer of a blast furnace is made of
(1) Graphite bricks (2) Silica bricks (3) Basic bricks (4) Fireclay bricks
Sol. Answer (4)
The inner layer of blast furnace is made up of fire clay bricks which can withstand high temperature.
33. Roasting of sulphides gives the gas X as a by- product. This is a colorless gas with choking smell of burnt
sulphur and causes great damage to respiratory organs as a result of acid rain. Its aqueous solution is acidic
acts as a reducing agent and its acid is known only in solution. The gas X is
(1) SO2 (2) CO2 (3) SO3 (4) H2S
Sol. Answer (1)
Sulphur dioxide is a colourless gas which can cause damage to respiratory organs. Its aqueous solution is
acidic

SO 2 + H 2O ⎯⎯
→ H 2SO 3

H2SO3 is sulphurous acid and it is known only in solution.

34. Which of the following mineral contains calcium as well as magnesium?
(1) Tridymite (2) Aragonite (3) Dolomite (4) Carnalite
Sol. Answer (3)
Dolomite is CaCO3⋅MgCO3 which contains Ca as well as Mg.

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Solutions of Assignment (Set-2) General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements 65

SECTION - D
Assertion - Reason Type Questions
1. A : Cuprite is concentrated by froth floatation process.
R : Cuprite is the sulphide ore.
Sol. Answer (4)
Assertion is incorrect because sulphide ores are concentrated by froath floatation process and cuprite is not
a sulphide ore, Hence reason is also false.
2. A : Bauxite is purified by leaching process.
R : Aluminium oxide reacts with NaOH to form soluble sodium meta aluminate.
Sol. Answer (1)
Bauxite (Al2O3⋅2H2O) is purified by leaching process. In this process bauxite is treated with NaOH to form
sodium meta aluminate
Al 2O 3 ⋅ 2H 2O + 2NaOH ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
45% NaOH
200–250°C
→ 2NaAlO 2 + 3H 2O
Sodium Meta
sulphate

Hence, both Assertion and Reason are true.

3. A : Calamine and Dolomite are the carbonate ores.
R : Calamine is ZnCO3 whereas Dolomite is MgCO3.ZnCO3.
Sol. Answer (3)
Calamine is ZnCO3 whereas Dolomite is CaCO3⋅MgCO3. Therefore, Assertion is true but reason is false.
4. A : Roasting process is involved in the metallurgy of Cu from Malachite ore.
R : Roasting is the process of heating the ore in absence of air.
Sol. Answer (4)
Roasting process is used for sulphide ores. Malachite is CaCO3⋅Cu(OH)2 which can be converted into oxide
by calcination process. Roasting is done in presence of air. Therefore, both Assertion and Reason are false.
5. A : Metallurgy of Ag from Argentite is known as hydro-metallurgy.
R : Argentite is Ag2S.
Sol. Answer (2)
In the extraction of Ag from argentite, leaching is done with the help of NaCN and Zn dust. This process is
called hydrometallurgy. Argentite is Ag2S but this reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
6. A : In the manufacturing of iron from haematite, silicon dioxide is added as flux.
R : Lime stone is also used as acidic flux in many case.
Sol. Answer (4)
In the metallurgy of Iron CaO is used as flux and SiO2 is present as impurity. Limestone is not used as acidic
flux.
Hence, both Assertion and Reason are false.
7. A : Ultrapure metals are obtained by zone refining.
R : Van arkel method is used for purification of titanium.
Sol. Answer (2)
Zone refining method is used for purification of semiconductors and this method gives metals of very high purity.
Van Arkel method is used for purification titanium. Hence, Reason and Assertion are true but Reason is not
the correct explanation.
8. A : Wrought iron is purest form of iron with respect to other forms.
R : It has less than 0.5% carbon.

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66 General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements Solutions of Assignment (Set-2)

Sol. Answer (1)

The percentage of impurities in wrought iron is minimum and it contains less than 5% carbon. Therefore, both
Assertion and Reason are true.
9. A : Magnesium oxide is used for the lining in steel making furnace.
R : Magnesium oxides acts as flux.
Sol. Answer (1)
In the steel industry, MgO is used for lining the surface of furnace. MgO is a basic oxide and reacts with SiO2
which is present in the iron ore as impurity to form slag. Hence MgO acts as a flux. Therefore, both Assertion
and Reason are true.
10. A : Aluminium metal is used as a reducing agent for the extraction of metals.
R : Aluminium has great affinity for oxygen.
Sol. Answer (1)
Aluminium metal has great affinity for oxygen and it readily combines with oxygen. This property of aluminium
makes it a suitable reducing agent for the extraction of other metals. Hence, both assertion and reason are
true.
11. A : Zinc but not copper is used for recovery of Ag from the complex [Ag(CN)2]–.
R : Zinc is more powerful reducing agent in comparison to copper.
Sol. Answer (1)
During the extraction of Ag, Zn is used for the reduction. Cu is a less electropositive metal and less reactive
than Zn. Due to high electropositive nature of Zn, zinc dust is used for the recovery of Ag from the complex
[Ag(CN)2]–.
12. A : Hydrometallurgy is used for extraction of Ag and Au.
R : Hydrometallurgy is different from pyrometallurgy.
Sol. Answer (2)
Hydrometallurgy is used for the extraction of Ag and Au in which they are treated with NaCN solution. This
process is known as leaching. Pyrometallurgy is thermal treatment of minerals and is different from
hydrometallurgy.
Therefore Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
13. A : Pure silver is obtained by electrolysis of AgNO3 solution.
R : In electrolysis impure silver is taken as cathode and pure silver is taken as anode.
Sol. Answer (3)
Pure silver can be obtained by electrolysis of AgNO3 solution. During its electrolysis, pure silver is taken as
cathode so the impure silver from the anode dissolves and pure silver is deposited at cathode made up of pure
silver.
Hence Assertion is true, Reason is false.
14. A : Carbon is used in blast furnace for reduction of Fe2O3.
B : This process is called smelting.
Sol. Answer (2)
Carbon is used as a reducing agent in the blast furnace for the reduction of Fe2O3 to obtain Fe. This process
of reduction is known as smelting. Reason is true but not the correct explanation of Assertion.
15. A : In Hall’s process Aluminium is purified.
B : Al2O3 (aq) is used in Hall’s process.
Sol. Answer (4)
Hall's process is a method of extraction of aluminium not of purification, Also in Hall's process molten Al2O3
is used. Therefore, both Assertion and Reason are false.
  
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