Question

Zinc is commonly extracted using:

• A. Electrolysis directly
• B. Roasting followed by electrolysis
• C. Roasting and reduction
• D. Smelting with carbon

Hint:

For zinc extraction, remember the sequence: roast the sulfide ore to oxide, then reduce with carbon to get pure zinc.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Zinc is commonly extracted from its ore, zinc blende (ZnS), through a two-step process: roasting and reduction.
In the roasting step, zinc sulfide is converted to zinc oxide: \[ 2\text{ZnS} + 3\text{O}_2 ⇒ 2\text{ZnO} + 2\text{SO}_2 \] Then in the reduction step, zinc oxide is reduced to metallic zinc using a reducing agent like carbon: \[ \text{ZnO} + \text{C} ⇒ \text{Zn} + \text{CO} \] This is the most economical and widely used method for commercial zinc extraction. Direct electrolysis is not typically used due to high energy costs.