Question
The chemical composition of 'slag' formed during the smelting process in the extraction of copper is
BITSAT
Chemistry
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Metals
2024
BITSAT 2024 (Memory Based Paper 2)
BITSAT Chemistry Question (2024) — Solution
Options
- A. Cu _2 O + FeS
- B. FeSiO _3
- C. CuFeS _2
- D. Cu _2 ~S + FeO
Answer
B. FeSiO _3
Step-by-step solution
During the extraction of copper, iron is present in the ore as impurity (FeS). The ore together with a little coke and silica is smelted; FeS present as impurity in the ore is oxidized to iron oxide, which then reacts with silica to form fusible ferrous silicate which is removed as slag. 2 FeS +3 O _2 2 FeO +2 SO _2
Related: Chemistry — General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Metals · All PYQ Banks