Extraction of metals

• The combustion of carbon (coke) with oxygen to provide heat and carbon dioxide. To decrease carbon impurities in iron by making it a gas. Because carbon impurities make iron brittle

  C + O2 ---> CO2
• The reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide in blast furnace:

  CO2 + C ---> 2CO
• The thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate /limestone:

  CaCO3 ---> CaO + CO2
• The reduction of iron(III) oxide by carbon monoxide:

  Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2
• The formation of slag

  CaO + SiO2 → CaSiO3
• Why is CaO + SiO2 → CaSiO3 (formation of slag) a neutralisation reaction?

  Because CaO is a basic oxide and SiO2 is an acidic oxide.