Std X lesson no.
8 Metallurgy Notes
Q.1 Explain the following terms
a. Metallurgy: The various processes involved in the extraction of metals
from its ores and refining is called metallurgy.
The major steps involved for the extraction of a metal from its ore are:
(i) Concentration of ores (or enrichment of ore)
(ii) Conversion of concentrated ore into metal
(iii) Refining (purification) of impure metal
b. Ores: Those minerals from which a metals can be extracted conveniently
and profitably.
c. Minerals:Mostly metals are reactive so they do not occur in free state .
Metals are found in combined state like carbonates, oxides, nitrates and
sulphides.The compounds of metals that occur in nature along with
impurities, are called minerals. Ores are obtained from the minerals.
d.Gangue is the unwanted impurities like rock material, dust, soil, sand,
earthy particles, limestone, mica etc. present in an ore.
Q.2 Write scientific reasons.
a. Lemon or tamarind is used for cleaning copper vessels turned greenish.
Ans a. Copper vessels turned greenish due to the formation of copper
carbonate layer. The citric acid present in the lemon or tamarind neutralises
the basic copper carbonate and dissolves the layer. That is why, tarnished
copper vessels are cleaned with lemon or tamarind juice to give the surface
of the copper vessel its characteristic lustre.
b. Generally the ionic compounds have high melting points.
Ans b. In an ionic compound there is strong electrostatic force of attraction
between opposite charged ions. To overcome these forces a considerable
amount of energy is needed. Therefore, ionic compounds have high melting
points.
c. Sodium is always kept in kerosene.
Ans c. Sodium is a very reactive metal. It is kept in kerosene to prevent it
from coming in contact with oxygen and moisture. If this happens, it will
react with the moisture present in air and form sodium hydroxide. This is a
strongly exothermic reaction and lot of heat is generated.Thus to avoid any
mishap , sodium is always kept in kerosene.
d. Pine oil is used in froth flotation.
Ans d. Pine oil is added in the froth flotation method to create froath or
bubble so that metal can be purify easily because pine oil prevents the ore
from gangue for furthur mixing. Pine oil also acts as best substance for
forming froth for the minerals. It also increases the non wettability of
mineral particles.
e. Anodes need to be replaced from time to time during the electrolysis of
alumina.
Ans e. In the electrolysis of alumina, graphite rod is used as anode.During
the electrolytic reduction of alumina, aluminium is produced at the cathode
and oxygen gas is evolved at the anode.This gas reacts with the graphite rods
(anode) and forms carbon dioxide.Thus, the graphite rods are continuously
eroded. Hence, the graphite rods i.e. anodes be replaced from time to time
during the electrolysis of fused alumina.
Q.3 When a copper coin is dipped in silver nitrate solution, a glitter
appears on the coin after some time. Why does this happen? Write the
chemical equation.
Ans:Copper is more reactive than silver. Hence, displacement reaction
occurs. When copper coin is dipped in silver nitrate solution, it forms copper
nitrate and silver metal. A shining white deposit of silver metal is formed on
copper coin. The grey solid crystal(glitters) of Ag metal appears on the
copper coin and solution turns blue in colour.
Q.4. The electronic configuration of metal ‘A’ is 2,8,1 and that of metal ‘B’
is 2,8,2. Which of the two metals is more reactive? Write their reaction
with dilute hydrochloric acid.
Ans:On moving from left to right in a period of periodic table, the chemical
reactivity of elements first decreases from sodium to silicon and then
increases from phosphorus to chlorine.
The electronic configuration of metal ‘A’ is 2,8,1. This is electronic
configuration of sodium metal.
The electronic configuration of metal ‘B’ is 2,8,2. This is electronic
configuration of magnesium metal.In the first element of third period,
sodium, there is 1 valence electron which it can lose easily to react with
other substances, so it is very reactive metal. The second element
magnesium has 2 valence electrons. It is not easy for an atom to lose 2
electrons, so magnesium is less reactive than sodium.
Reaction with dil hydrochloric acid:
Q.5 Write chemical equation for the following events.
a. Aluminium came in contact with air.
Aluminium is a very reactive metal. The outer surface of the metal is actually
covered by a very thin layer of the oxide which keeps the metal protected
from the air. But when the oxide layer is damaged, aluminum comes in
contact with the air. It is easily attacked by air. Then aluminium starts
reacting with the oxygen. It will burn as bright white flame to change into
aluminium(III) oxide.
b. Iron filings are dropped in aqueous solution of copper sulphate.
Iron is more reactive than copper. It can displace Copper (Cu) from its salt
Copper sulphate (CuSO4) and its colour changes from blue to green.
c. A reaction was brought about between ferric oxide and aluminium.
Aluminium is more reactive than iron. Aluminium metal replaces iron from
ferric oxide to form aluminium oxide and iron
d.Electrolysis of alumina is done.
e.Zinc oxide is dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid.
Zinc Oxide is an inorganic compound with formula ZnO. It is insoluble in
water. When Zinc oxide reacts with hydrochloric acid it forms zinc chloride
and water. It also leads in the formation of small bubbles of hydrogen. This is
double displacement reaction.
