Dr Khin Maung Toe

Chemistry

Chapter (9)
Competition Reaction
(a) The solid state
Thermite Reaction
If a more reactive metal is heated with the oxide of a
less reactive metals it will remove the oxygen from it. Iron
(III) oxide is mixed with aluminium and the mixture is
heated using a magnesium fuse. The aluminium, being more
reactive metal, takes oxygen from the less reactive iron. It is
a very exothermic reaction. This redox reaction is known as
thermite reaction. Large amounts of heat is given out and
iron forms molten state and use to weld damaged railway
lines.
Fe2O3(s) + 2Al(s) → Al2O3(s) + 2Fe(s) + heat
iron(II) +aluminium → aluminium + iron + heat
oxide oxide
(b) The aqueous solutions
Displacement Reaction
In a displacement reaction, a more reactive metal will
displace a less reactive metal from a solution of salt.
A piece of zinc metal is left to stand in a solution of
copper (II) nitrate. Copper (II) nitrate slowly loses its blue
colour as zinc displaces copper.
Zn(s) + Cu(NO3)2(aq) → Zn(NO3)2(aq) + Cu(s)
Zinc + copper (II) → zinc nitrate + copper
nitrate
(OR)
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)
zinc + copper (II) → zinc ion + copper
ion
 This is also a redox reaction involving the transfer of
two electrons from the zinc metal to the copper ions.
It is possible to confirm the activity series for metals
using competition reaction.
Fox example
FeCl3(aq) + 3NaOH(aq) → Fe(OH)3(s) +3NaCl(aq)
ion (III) + sodium → ion (III) + sodium
chloride hydroxide hydroxide chloride

Extraction of metals from their ores

The majority of metals are so reactive. They cannot exist as
free elements. They occur naturally in rocks as compounds in ores.
The ores are carbonates, oxides or sulphides of the metal, mixed with
impurities.
Some metals, such as gold and silver occur as the free
elements. They are unreactive and resist the action of water and the
atmosphere for many of years.
 Usual
Name of Chemical name of
Metal Formula method of
ore compound in ore
extraction
Electrolysis of
Aluminium Bauxite Aluminium oxide Al2O3, 2H2O oxide dissolved
in molten cryolite

Copper The sulphide ore

Copper Copper iron sulphide CuFeS2
pyrites is roasted in air

Heat oxide ore is

Iron Haematitie Iron (III) oxide Fe2O3
roasted in air

Electrolysis of
Sodium Rock salt Sodium chloride NaCl molten sodium
chloride
Sulphide is
roasted in air and
the oxide
Zinc Zinc blende Zinc sulphide ZnS
produced is
heated with
carbon
Extraction of fairly reactive metals
Fairly reactive metals such as iron and zinc may be
extracted by reducing the metal oxide with carbon.

1. Describe the extraction of zinc from zinc blende.

Zinc extraction
The ore usually zinc blende is concentrated by froth
floatation method.
The crushed ore is fed into water containing a
chemical collector and frothing agent. The collector sticks
to surface of the zinc sulphide particles to form a water
repellent coating. The air is blown through so that the whole
mixture froth up. The zinc sulphide particles are forced up
the tank by the air bubbles and are skimmed off and dried.
The ore contains 55-57 % of zinc sulphide.
The zinc sulphide is then heated very strongly in a current
of air in a furnace.
zinc sulphide + oxygen → zinc oxide + sulphuridioxide
2ZnS(s) + 3O2(g) → 2ZnO(s) + 2SO2(g)
The sulphur dioxide is the useful co-product. It is used for
sulphuric acid manufacture.
The zinc oxide is heated with coke at about 1400°C. Coke
reduces zinc oxide to produce zinc.
zinc oxide + coke → zinc +carbonmonoxide
ZnO(s) + C(s) → Zn(s) + CO(s)
Zinc and carbon monoxide pass through the outlet near the
top of the furnace. The zinc metal cools and condenses.
Energy cost is saved by burning carbonmonoxide to heat
the furnace.
Zinc is used as alloy (eg. brass) and also used to galvanize
the steel . It is also used to produce electrodes.
2. Discuss the extraction of iron from haematite.
Discuss the extraction of pig iron (cast iron) from its
corresponding ore.
Discuss the extraction of wrought iron from
haematite.
Extraction of Iron
A mixture of haematite or magnetitie coke and
limestone is loaded in a blast furnace. Blast furnace is a
steel tower approximately 30 m high lined with fire
resistant bricks. A blast air is sent into the holes near the
bottom of the furnace.
Coke burns in the preheated air.
carton + oxygen → carbon dioxide
C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g)
The limestone is decomposed.
calcium carbonate → calcium oxide + carbon dioxide
CO2(g) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)
Carbon dioxide reacts with more coke in the furnace to produce
carbon monoxide.
carbon dioxde + coke → carbon monoxide
CO2(g) + C(s) → 2CO(g)
Carbon monoxide (a reducing agent) rises up the furnace and reduces
the iron (III) oxide at about 700°C. The molten iron trickles to the
bottom of the furnace.
iron (III) oxide + carbon monoxide → iron + carbon
Fe2O3 + 3CO(s) → 2Fe(s) + 3CO2(g)
Calcium oxide reacts with acidic impurities such as silicon (IV) oxide
(sand, SiO2) to form a liquid slag. (mainly calcium silicate)
calcium oxide + silicon (IV) oxide → calcium silicate
CaO(s) + SiO2(s) → CaSiO3(l)
The slag trickles to the bottom of the furnace and floats on the molten
iron. It may be tapped off at intervals. The iron obtained is pig iron or
cast iron.

Wrought iron
Removal of impurities form pig iron gives wrought iron. To produce
wrought iron, cast iron is heated in a current of air, using a furnace
lined with haematite. The carbon of cast iron is used up in the
reduction of iron (III) oxide.
Fe2O3(s) + 3C(s) → 2Fe(s) + 3CO(g)
iron (III) + carbon → iron + carbon
oxide monoxide
Some impurities are converted into gaseous oxide.
4P(s) + 5O2(g) → P4O10 (g)
phosphorous oxygen → phosphorous (V) oxide
Other impurities such as mangnese and silicon are oxidized and form
a slag. Wrought iron is the purest form of industrial iron. It is tough,
malleable and ductile and used for making wire, ornamental iron
work and horse-shoes.

3. Discuss the extraction of copper from copper pyrites.

Extraction of Copper:
Copper ores contain the low amount of copper compounds.
Therefore the ores are usually concentrated by froth flotation.
The crushed ore CuFeS2, chemical collector and water are
mixed. Chemical collector sticks on the coper pyrites and makes the
water repellent surface. Detergent is added and air is blown into the
mixture to from froth. Copper pyrites particles are concentrated in the
forth and removed easily. The ore concentrate is roasted with limited
supply of air to form copper (I) sulphide.
copper + oxygen → copper (I) + iron (II) + sulphur
pyrites sulphide oxide dioxide
2CuFeS2 + 4O2(g) → Cu2S(s) + 2FeO(l) + 3SO2(g)
 Silicon dioxide is added and heated in the absence of air. Iron
(II) oxide is converted into iron (II) silicate, (FeSiO3) which is run off.
The copper (I) sulphide is reduced to copper by heating in a
controlled amount of air.

copper (I) + oxygen → copper + sulphur

sulphide dioxide
Cu2S + O2 2Cu + SO2

The copper is purified by electrolysis to 99.92% purity.

4. Describe the extraction of silver from silver glance by the
cyanide process.
Cyanide Process
The finelly crushed ore is digested with sodium cyanide solution.
4Ag(s) +8NaCN(aq) + 2H2O(l) + O2(g) → 4Na{Ag(CN)2}(aq) + 4NaOH(aq)
Silver + sodium + water + oxygen → sodium argento + sodium
cyanide cyanide hydroxide
Silver chloride and silver sulphide also dissolve in sodium
cyanide solution.
AgCl(s) + 2NaCN(aq) → Na[Ag(CN)2](aq) + NaCl(aq)
silver chloride + sodium cyanide → sodium + sodium
argentocyanide chloride
Ag2S(s) + 4NaCH(aq) → 2Na[Ag(CN)2](aq) + Na2S(aq)
silver + sodium → sodium + sodium
sulphide cyanide argentocyanide sulphide
The silver bearing solution is treated with zinc shavings. Silver is
thrown out as precipitate.
Zn(s) +2Na[Ag(CN)2](aq) → 2Ag(s) + 2NaCN(aq) + Zn(CN)2(aq)
zinc +sodium argentocyanide → silver +sodium cyanide +zinc cyanide
The silver is collected, washed and melted then purified
electrolytically.

Recycling Metals
Recycling "banks" have become common place in recent
year.
Recycling metals cause to extract less metals from the
earth, prevents the creation of a huge environmental problem
and saves money.
The main recycling metals are aluminium and iron.
Aluminium saved many household as drinks cans and milk
bottle tops, be melted down and recast. Iron is collected at local
authority tips and scrap metal dealers. It is recycled to steel.
Many steel-making furnace run mainly on scrap iron.
Rusting of iron
After a period of time, objects, made of iron or steel will
become coated with rust. The rusting of iron wastes enomous
amount of money in UK each year and iron of £ 500million a
year is spent replacing iron and steel structures.
Rust is an orange-red powder (hydrated iron (III) oxide,
Fe2O3, XH2O). Water and oxygen are essential for iron to rust
and if one is not present, rusting will not takes place. Rusting of
iron is encouraged by salt.

Rust prevention
To prevent iron rusting, it is necessary to stop oxygen
(from air) and water coming into contact with it.
Painting
Ships, lorries, cars, bridges and many iron and steel
structures are painted to prevent rusting. If the paint is scratched,
iron will start to rust and corrosion can spread. It is essential that
the paint is kept in good condition and checked regularly.

Oiling/greasing
The iron and steel in the moving parts of machinery are
coated with oil to prevent the contact between them. But the
protective film must be renewed.

Coating with plastic

The exteriors of refrigerators, freezers and many other
items are coated with plastic such PVC, to prevent the steel
surface rusting.
Plating
Cans for food can be made from steel coated with tin.
The steel for making cans is dipped in molten tin.
Car bumpers, bicycles handle bars are electroplated with
chromium to prevent rusting. The chromium gives decorative
finish as well as the protecting the steel beneath.

Galvanising
Steel girders used in construction of bridges and
buildings, coal bunkers and steel dustbins are galvanized. This
involves dipping the object into molten zinc. The thin layer of
the more reactive zinc metal slowly corrodes and lose electrons
to the iron, protecting it. When much of zinc layer has been
scratched away, so the iron continues to be protected.
Corrosion
Rusting is the most common form of corrosion. Metals
and alloys are chemically attacked by oxygen, water and other
substances from environment. The higher metals in the
reactivity series corrodes more rapidly. Sodium and potassium
were stored under oil because corrode more rapidly.
Magnesium, calcium and aluminium are usually covered
by thin layer of oxide after reaction with oxygen in air. Freshly
copper is pink ocolur and turns brow due to copper (II) oxide.
In more exposed environments, copper roofs and pipes
quickly become covered in verdigris. It is green in colour and
compsed of copper (II) carbonate and copper (II) hydroxide
[CuCO3.Cu(OH)2].
Gold and platinum are unreactive and do not corrode,
even after hundreds of years.
Alloys
The majority of the metallic substances used today are alloys.
Alloys are mixture of two or more metals and are formed by mixing
molten metals thoroughly. Alloy has more useful properties than pure
metal. Steel, as alloy, is a mixture or iron and carbon. Nickel and
chromium are added to produce stainless steel. Chromium prevents
the steel from rusting while nickel makes it harder.

Production of Steel
Pig iron contains 3-5% carbon and other impurities such
sulphur, silicon and phosphorus. The impurities make the iron hard
and brittle.
Molten pig iron is poured into the basic oxygen furnace. A
water cooled lance is introduced into the furmace and oxygen 5-15
atm are oxidised to their gaseous oxides (CO, CO2 and SO2). Silicon
and phosphorous are converted into solid oxides (SiO2 and P2O5).
 Calcium oxide (lime) to remove these oxides as slag,
which is poured off the surface. When required amount of
carbon has been reached, the blast of oxygen is turned off.
The basic oxygen furnace can convert up to 300 tons of pig
iron to steel per hour.
There are various types of steel that differ only in
their carbon content. The differing amounts of carbon
present confer different properties on the steel.
Different type of steel
Steel Typical composition Properties Use
Mild 99.5% iron, 0.5% Easily worked lost Car bodies,
Steel carbon most of brittleness large structure
Hard 99% iron, 1% carbon Tough and brittle Cutting tools,
Steel chisels razor
blades
Mangane 89% iron, 11% Tough, springy Drill bits,
se steel manganese springs
Stainless 74% iron, 18% Tough, does not Cutlery, kitchen
Steel chromium, corrode sinks, surgical
8% nickel instruments
Tungsten 95% iron, 5% Tough, hard, even at Edges of high
Steel tungsten high temperatures speed cutting
tools
Uses of common alloys
Alloy1 Typical composition Properties
Brass 65% copper, 35% zinc Jewellery, machine bearing, electrical
connections door furniture
Bronze 90% copper, 10% tin Casting, machine parts
Cupro nickel 30% copper, 70% nickel Turbine blades
75% copper, 25% nickel Coinage metal
Duralumin 95% aluminium, Aircraft construction, bicycle parts
4% copper, 1
magnesium,
Magnese and iron
Magnalium 70% aluminium, 30% Aircraft construction
magnesium
Pewter 30% lead, 70% tin, a Plates, ornaments and drinking mugs
small amount of
antimony
Solider 70% lead, 30% tin Connecting electrical wiring
5. Explain the following terms.
(i) Alloy
(ii) Corrosion
(iii) Rusting of iron
(iv) Steel
(v) What is thermite process? Explain with a suitable
example.
(vi) How do you understand by the term sacrificial
protection?
(vii) Explain the term galvanising.
(viii) What is meant by the term "Recycling metals".
(i) Alloy
Alloy is a mixture of two or more metals obtained by mixing
molten metals thoroughly.
(ii) Corrosion
Corrosion is a process which takes place when metals or
alloys are chemically attacked by oxygen and water or any other
substances.
(iii)Rusting
Rusting is the action of oxygen and water on the iron or steel
structures to form rust, hydrated iron (III) oxide, Fe2O3.xH2O.
(iv) Steel
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon or any other metals.
(v) Thermite process
When a more reactive metal is heated with an oxide of less
reactive metal, the reactive metal takes oxygen from the oxide of
less reactive metal producing large amount of heat.
The process is known as thermite process.
2Al(s) + Fe2O3(s) → Al2O3(s) + 2Fe(s) + heat
(vi) Sacrificial Protection
When magnesium or zinc block is attached to the iron or
steel structures, these metals compete the iron to take the oxygen
resulting in the protection of rusting.
(vii) Galvanizing
Iron or steel objects are dipping in the molten zinc to form a
thin layer coating. The process to form thin layer coating of zinc
on those structures are called Galvanizing.
(viii) Recycling metals
Recycling is the refining of used metals especially
aluminium and iron.
Recycling metals save money, preserve the metal resources
more longer and prevent the creation of environmental problems.

What are the methods to prevent iron from rusting?

Methods of Rust prevention
(i) Painting (ii) Oiling/ Greasing
(iii) Coating with plastic (iv) Plating
(v) Galvanizing (vi) Sacrificial protection