Question

A zinc ore on heating in air forms sulphur dioxide. Describe briefly any two stages involved in the conversion of this concentrated ore into zinc metal.

Answer 1

1.Roasting: Zinc blende ore is subjected to roasting, i.e., it is heated in the presence of excess air. This converts zinc sulphide ore to zinc oxide. The reaction involved is:

2. Reduction: Zinc oxide is then reduced by coke (carbon). When zinc oxide is heated with coke, carbon acts as reducing agent and reduces zinc oxide to zinc metal.