Question

Write scientific reason.

Pine oil is used in froth flotation.

Answer 1

1. Pine oil is hydrophobic.
2. The particles of the metal sulphide ores which are hydrophobic get wetted by pine oil.
3. They float with the foam on the surface of water.
4. Thus, by using this property some ores which contain hydrophobic particles in them can be concentrated by froth floatation process.
   Hence, pine oil is used in froth floatation.