1. The table below shows some of the ores of iron.

ore

formula

haematite
magnetite
siderite

Fe2O3
Fe3O4
FeCO3

(a) Which ore in the table contains the greatest percentage by mass of iron? Explain your answer.
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(b) Give the equations for the redox reactions taking place in the extraction of iron from haematite.
In each case state which substance is oxidised and which is reduced.
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(c) Iron is malleable. Describe how this property can be explained in terms of its structure. [2]
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(d) State and explain how the properties of iron can be changed by the addition of carbon. [2]
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2. Iron is one of the most important metals. It is a transition element.
Most iron is used in the alloy steel.
(a) Explain, in terms of metallic bonding, why iron is a good electrical conductor.
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(b) Describe how different proportions of carbon can modify the physical properties of steel.
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(c) When underwater, iron pipes will rust relatively rapidly.

[2]

(i) State the essential conditions needed for the rusting of iron.
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(ii) Pieces of magnesium are often attached to underwater iron pipes. Explain how the magnesium protects
the iron pipes against rusting.
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(d) Write two typical properties that are generally common only to transition elements.
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3. This diagram shows an electrolysis tank used industrially to produce aluminium from aluminium oxide
.
Graphite anode

Steel tank

molten aluminum oxide and cryolite at 950oC

Graphite anode

molten aluminium out

One reason that this process is expensive is that the graphite anodes need replacing regularly.
(a) Explain, with the help of an equation, why the graphite anodes need replacing regularly. [2]
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(b) Adding molten cryolite reduces the cost of the process by lowering energy demand.
Explain how adding molten cryolite reduces the energy demand of the process.

[2]

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(c) State two uses of aluminium. State the property of aluminium which makes it suitable for each
use.
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4. Iron is extracted by reducing iron ore in a blast furnace. The raw materials used are iron ore, coke, air and
limestone.
(a) Name an ore of iron.
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(b) Explain, by reference to the chemical reactions involved, why limestone is used in the blast furnace.
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(c) Coke burns in oxygen to form carbon dioxide.
Explain, in terms of bond breaking and bond making, why this reaction is exothermic.
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(d) In the centre of the blast furnace iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3, is reduced by carbon monoxide to form iron and

carbon dioxide. Near the bottom of the blast furnace the remaining iron(III) oxide is reduced by carbon to
form iron and carbon monoxide.
Write equations for both of these reactions.
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(e) When cold, the iron obtained from the blast furnace is brittle.
How can this iron from the blast furnace be converted to mild steel?
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[Total: 10]
5 a) List the following meals in order of decreasing reactivity:
aluminium, copper, iron, sodium.
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b) Some magnesium powder was mixed with some copper(II) oxide and heated strongly. There was a vigorous
reaction, producing a lot of sparks and a bright flash of light.
(i) Name the products of the reaction.
(ii) Write a balanced symbol equation for the reaction.
(iii) Which substance in the reaction has been reduced?
(iv) Which substance is the oxidising agent?
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c) If a mixture of zinc poder and cobalt(II) oxide is heated, the following reaction occurs:
Zn(s) + CoO(s)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

ZnO(s) + Co(s)

Which metal is higher in the reactivity series?

The zinc can be described as a reducing agent. using the example, explain what is meant by the term
reducing agent.
Which substance in this reaction has been ozidised?

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6. Some iron fillings were shaken with some copper(II) sulfate solution. The ionic equation for the reaction is:
Mg(s) + Cu2+(aq)

Fe2+ + Cu(s)

a) Write down any one change that you would observe during this reaction.
b) Which substance has been oxidised in this reaction?
c) Write down the full (not ionic) equation for this reaction.
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7. Study the following equations and, in each case, decide whether the substance in bold type has been oxidised or
reduced. Explain your choice in terms of either oxygen transfer or electron transfer as appropriate.
a) Zn(s) + Cuo(s)

ZnO(s) + Cu(s)

b) Fe2O3(s) + c(s)

2Fe(s) + 3CO(g)

c) Mg(s) +Zn2+(s)

Mg2+(s) + Zn(s)

d) Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq)

Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

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8. If you add some powdered aluminium to a small amount of cold dilute hydrochloric acid in a boiling tube, very
little happens. If you warm this gently, it starts to fizz very rapidly.
a) Name the gas given off to produce the fizzing.
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b) If you used an excess of hydrochloric acid. you would end up with a colourless solution. Name the
solution.
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c) Write full balanced equation for the reaction.
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d) Explain why the aluminium hardly reacts with vigorously after even gently heating.
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9. Iron is produced in a blast furnace by the reduction of its ore, haematite(Fe2O3).
a) What do you understand by the term reduction?
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b) Give the proper chemical name for haematite.
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c) The main heat source in the furnace is provided by burning coke in air.

C(s) + O2(g)

CO2(g)

What name is given to a reaction which produces heat?

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d) The main reducing agent in the furnace is carbon monoxide. Write an equation to show its formation.
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e) Balance the equation : Fe2O3(s) + CO(g)

Fe(l) + CO2(g)

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f) Limestone is added to the furnace to help in the removal of impurities in the ore, such as silicon dioxide
(SiO2). Explain the chemistry of this.
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g) The impure iron from the blast furnace can be used to make cast iron, but most is converted into various
steels.
i)

Give one use in each case for cast iron, mild steel, high-carbon steel and stainless steel.

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ii) Give two effects of increasing the proportion of carbon mixed with the iron.
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10. a) Aluminium is manufactured by the electrolysis of aluminium oxide dissolved in molten cryolite.
i)Name the ore from which aluminium oxide is obtained.
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ii) At which electrode is the aluminium produced?
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iii) Oxygen is released at the other electrode. Explain why that creates a problem.
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iv) Aluminium is the commonest metal in the Earths crust, and yet it is entirely expensive because its extraction is
expensive. why is the extraction expensive?
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