Question

An ore contains a mixture of zinc carbonate and lead carbonate. Zinc and lead are produced from this ore by 2 reactions.

REACTION 1: The carbonates in the ore are converted into a mixture of zinc oxide and lead oxide

Name this type of reaction. ______________________
How is this reaction done? _______________________

REACTION 2: the metals are mixed with carbon and heated in a furnace to produce zinc and lead

Explain why zinc and lead are produced ...?

Answer 1

REACTION 1: The carbonates in the ore are converted into a mixture of zinc oxide and lead oxide

Name this type of reaction. Decomposition reaction
How is this reaction done? It through calcination that ZnCO3 and PbCO3 decompose into oxides respectively.

REACTION 2: the metals are mixed with carbon and heated in a furnace to produce zinc and lead

Explain why zinc and lead are produced ...? The second reaction is possible as the net change in gibbs free energy is negative hence it is spontaneous.