Chapter 21, Problem 21.20QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Why iron is only about two-thirds as abundant as aluminium in earth’s crust and mass it costs only about one quarter as much to produce has to be explained.

Concept introduction:

The abundance of many minerals in the earth’s crust or silicates are oxygen, silicon, aluminium, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and others. In our problem the abundance or iron is about two thirds as abundance as aluminium in earth’s crust. However, the cost is depends on what type of separation process used. We have three common methods to separate ores, they are distillation, electrolysis, and zone refining. For purification of iron can be achieved by using blast furnace but aluminium is produced by electrolysis.