Which of the following is used in forming slag in the blast furnace for the extraction of iron?
- Ca(CO\(_3\) )\(_2\)
- Ca(OH)\(_2\)
-
CaCO\(_3\)
- CaO
The correct answer is: C
Explanation
In the extraction of iron, "slag" refers to a molten, glassy by-product that forms on the surface of the molten iron during the smelting process, primarily composed of impurities like silicon dioxide (from the ore) that react with a flux (like limestone) added to the furnace, effectively separating these impurities from the pure iron and allowing them to be removed as a separate layer; essentially, it's a waste product created to remove unwanted materials from the iron ore during extraction. Slag is mainly a mixture of metal oxides and silicon dioxide.
Limestone, CaCO\(_3\) is used to form slag in the blast furnace process during the extraction of iron.
The limestone decomposes in the furnace to form calcium oxide (CaO), which then reacts with impurities like silicon dioxide, SiO\(_2\) to form calcium silicate, Ca\(_2\)SiO\(_4\)
There is an explanation video available .