Question

How do non-metals occur in nature and how are they extracted/isolated from their natural sources?

Answer 1

Some non-metals, such as inert gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe), are found in nature in free form, while others, like oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, halogens, and carbon, are found in both free and combined states. Any of the following methods can be used to extract non-metals from their natural resources:

1. By the reduction of oxides and halides.
2. By electrolyte reduction of salts, e.g., Cl, by electrolytic reduction of conc. NaCl solution.
3. By the thermal decomposition of their hydrides.