1)Why is iron first roasted and converted to iron(III) before extraction
2)Write the two equations of roasting iron to make iron (III)oxide starting with FeCO3
3)Why is the blast furnace made of steel inside and lined with bricks?Explain
4)What is the purpose of carbon in the blast furnace
5)Write an equation showing how iron (III)oxide is reduced by carbon
6)Why is the extraction an economical process
7)What is the purpose of calcium oxide in the furnace
8)Using equations,show how the slug is formed
9)Why does the slug settle at the bottom
10)The iron obtained is pure but not 100%.Name the other impurities in the iron extracted
11)State the effects of these impurities when allowed to remain with iron
1) Iron is first roasted and converted to iron(III) before extraction because iron in its pure form is not stable in the presence of oxygen, so it needs to be oxidized to a more stable form.
2) FeCO3 → FeO + CO2
FeO + 1/2 O2 → Fe2O3
3) The blast furnace is made of steel inside and lined with bricks to withstand the high temperatures and corrosive conditions inside the furnace. Steel is strong and can withstand the heat, while the bricks provide insulation to keep the heat inside the furnace.
4) The purpose of carbon in the blast furnace is to act as a reducing agent, reducing the iron(III) oxide to iron metal.
5) Fe2O3 + 3C → 2Fe + 3CO
6) The extraction process is economical because iron is a widely available and abundant resource, and the process is highly efficient in extracting large amounts of iron from its ore.
7) Calcium oxide in the furnace acts as a flux, helping to remove impurities from the iron ore and forming a slag that can be easily separated from the molten iron.
8) CaO + SiO2 → CaSiO3
9) The slag settles at the bottom because it is denser than the molten iron, allowing it to be easily separated.
10) Other impurities in the iron extracted may include carbon, silicon, sulfur, and phosphorus.
11) The impurities in iron can affect its properties, such as strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance. High levels of impurities can make the iron brittle and less suitable for use in various applications.