Which of the following statement is true regarding the extraction process of mercury? 1. Cinnabar (HgS), an ore of mercury is first reacted with water and it converts into mercuric oxide (HgO). 2. Mercuric oxide is then reduced to mercury by heating.
Which of the following statement is true regarding the extraction process of mercury? 1. Cinnabar (HgS), an ore of mercury is first reacted with water and it converts into mercuric oxide (HgO). 2. Mercuric oxide is then reduced to mercury by heating. Correct Answer Only 2
The correct answer is Only 2.
Explanation:
- Cinnabar (HgS) is a mercury ore.
- It is first converted to mercuric oxide when heated in the air (HgO).
- After that, the mercuric oxide is reduced to mercury.
- This can be explained by the following extraction process of mercury:
- Concentration of ore
- This includes grinding the ore and separating out the unwanted dirt.
- Roasting of ore
- It is required because the ore is sulphide. Roasting involves heating sulphide ore in the presence of oxygen to produce metal oxide and sulphur dioxide.
- HgS + O2 → HgO + SO2.
- Further heating
- Because Mercury is a low-reactive metal, we can heat its oxide to separate it.
- 2HgO+ heat → 2Hg + O2
- Mercury now contains chemical impurities that can be separated using the electrolyte refining process, allowing Mercury to be separated from its ore cinnabar.
Thus, Mercuric oxide is then reduced to mercury by heating is true regarding the extraction process of mercury.
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Feb 20, 2025