Iron is extracted from haematite ore, which contains iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3\mathrm{Fe_{2}O_{3}}Fe2O3. The iron(III) oxide is heated with carbon.
2Fe2O3+3C→4Fe+3CO22\mathrm{Fe_{2}O_{3}} + 3\mathrm{C} \rightarrow 4\mathrm{Fe} + 3\mathrm{CO_{2}}2Fe2O3+3C→4Fe+3CO2
Relative atomic masses: C = 12, O = 16, Fe = 56. 1 tonne = 1.00 × 106 g
State why carbon can be used to extract iron from iron(III) oxide.
Calculate the maximum mass of iron, in tonnes, that can be extracted from 800 tonnes of iron(III) oxide.
Calculate the mass of carbon, in tonnes, needed to react with 800 tonnes of iron(III) oxide.
A sample of haematite contains 80.0% iron(III) oxide by mass. Calculate the mass of haematite needed to produce 1000 tonnes of iron. Give your answer to three significant figures.
Aluminium is more expensive to extract than iron. Explain why.
45 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Chemistry 5.1 Obtaining and using metals, covering 5.1.1 The reactivity series of metals, 5.1.2 Displacement reactions as redox reactions, 5.1.3 Extracting metals from ores by reduction, 5.1.4 Biological methods of metal extraction, 5.1.5 Resistance to oxidation and recycling metals, and 5.1.6 Life cycle assessment. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.