Section C: Give a short answer to the question given below.
28. Name the ore of mercury and state the form in which it is found in nature. Write the chemical equations along with the condition required for the reactions involved in the extraction of mercury from its ore.
The primary ore of mercury is . It is found in nature primarily as .
When mercury is heated in the presence of oxygen, it undergoes to form mercury(II) oxide (\(HgO\)) and sulfur dioxide (\(SO_2\)).
When mercury is heated in the presence of oxygen, it undergoes to form mercury(II) oxide (\(HgO\)) and sulfur dioxide (\(SO_2\)).
\(HgS\)(s) + \(O_2\)(g) → \(HgO\)(s) + \(SO_2\)(g)
Mercury(II) oxide (\(HgO\)) formed in the first step is then heated to into mercury .
The overall extraction reaction is: Roasting and reduction, involving the following chemical equations:-
\(HgS\)(s) + \(O_2\)(g) → \(Hg\)(l) + \(SO_2\)(g)
\(HgS\)(s) + \(O_2\)(g) → \(Hg\)(l) + \(SO_2\)(g)
\(2HgO\)(s) → \(2Hg\)(l) + \(O_2\)(g)
This process allows the extraction of mercury from its ore, cinnabar, by heating in the presence of oxygen.
This process allows the extraction of mercury from its ore, cinnabar, by heating in the presence of oxygen.