Explain the following:
(i) is a better reducing agent below 710K whereas is a better reducing agent above 710K.
(ii) Generally sulphide ores are converted into oxides before reduction.
(iii) Silica is added to the sulphide ore of copper in the reverberatory furnace.
(iv) Carbon and hydrogen are not used as reducing agents at high temperatures.
(v) Vapour phase refining method is used for the purification of .
(i) As per the Ellingham diagram, below 710 K
Hence, is better reducing agent compared to .
At temperature above 710 K,
Hence is better reducing agent.
(ii) Sulphide ores cannot be reduced easily but oxide ores can be easily reduced compared to them, hence sulphide ores are generally converted into oxides before reduction
(iii) In addition to copper sulphide, copper pyrites contain iron sulphide. In reverberatory furnace copper ore is roasted to give oxides.
is removed by adding silica from the matte containing copper sulphide and some iron sulphide.
(iv) Carbon and hydrogen react with metals at high temperature to form carbides and hydrides respectively hence they are not used as reducing agents.
(v) reacts with iodine to form which is volatile and decomposes to give at high temperature to give extra pure titanium. That is why vapour phase refining method is used for purification of