Question

Define the process of liquation with examples.

Answer 1

Liquation is a purification method based on the difference in the melting points of the metal and its impurities. It is used when the metal has a lower melting point than the impurities. The impure metal is heated gently on the sloping hearth of a furnace, causing the fusible metal to melt and flow down, while the less fusible impurities are left behind. Metals like tin, lead, and bismuth are purified using this technique.