Chapter 21, Problem 21.32SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason for roasting of sphalerite yields zinc oxide whereas cinnabar gives elemental mercury has to be explained.  Also the product of roasting of cadmium sulfide has to be identified.

Concept introduction:

• Reduction of an ore can be done by chemical reduction or electrolysis.
• It depends on metal activity which is determined by standard reduction potential of metals.
• The most active metals are hard to reduce because of its negative standard reduction potential.
• The least active metals are easy to reduce because of its positive standard reduction potential.
• A table defines reduction methods of various metal ores is given as follows

Figure 1