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This question is about the extraction of metals - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 3 - 2021 - Paper 1

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This question is about the extraction of metals. Element R is extracted from its oxide by reduction with hydrogen. The equation for the reaction is: $$3H_2 + RO_3... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:This question is about the extraction of metals - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 3 - 2021 - Paper 1

Step 1

Calculate the relative atomic mass (A_r) of R.

96%

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Answer

To find the relative atomic mass (A_r) of element R, we first note that the sum of the relative formula masses of the reactants is given as 150. The formula for the mass of the reactants is:

Mf=3MH2+MRO3M_f = 3M_{H_2} + M_{R}O_3

Calculating the mass of the hydrogen:

Since each hydrogen atom has a relative atomic mass of 1, the total mass contributed by 3 moles of hydrogen is:

MH2=2H=2imes1=2M_{H_2} = 2H = 2 imes 1 = 2

Therefore,

3MH2=3imes2=63M_{H_2} = 3 imes 2 = 6

Substituting this back into the equation:

6+MRO3=1506 + M_{R}O_3 = 150

To find MRO3M_{R}O_3, we rearrange:

MRO3=1506=144M_{R}O_3 = 150 - 6 = 144

Now, using the molar mass of oxygen (16), we can calculate:

MR=1443imes16=14448=96M_{R} = 144 - 3 imes 16 = 144 - 48 = 96

Thus, the relative atomic mass of R is 96.

Step 2

Identify element R.

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Answer

Using the periodic table, the element with a relative atomic mass of 96 is molybdenum (Mo).

Step 3

Calculate the percentage atom economy for extracting tin.

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Answer

The total relative formula mass of the reactants is calculated as follows:

Mf(reactants)=MSnO2+MC=(119+16)+12=163M_{f}(reactants) = M_{SnO_2} + M_{C} = (119 + 16) + 12 = 163

The total mass of the desired product is the mass of tin, which is 119. The percentage atom economy can be calculated using the formula:

Percentage atom economy=(Mass of desired productTotal mass of reactants)×100\text{Percentage atom economy} = \left(\frac{\text{Mass of desired product}}{\text{Total mass of reactants}}\right) \times 100

Substituting in our values:

Percentage atom economy=(119163)×10073%\text{Percentage atom economy} = \left(\frac{119}{163}\right) \times 100 \approx 73\%

Step 4

Evaluate the three possible methods for extracting tungsten.

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Answer

  1. Carbon: This is the cheapest reactant but produces carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. Additionally, separating the solid products can be expensive and time-consuming.

  2. Hydrogen: This method has a high relative cost but produces water vapour, which can escape without significant waste.

  3. Iron: Iron is the most expensive reactant here, and separating the solids would also take considerable time and resources.

In conclusion, while carbon is the least expensive option, it has significant environmental implications. Hydrogen, while costly, offers a cleaner output. Lastly, iron is inefficient and costly, making it a less favorable option.

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