Key Stage 3
Meaning
Smelting is a process for extracting metals by heating and melting a mineral with carbon to cause a displacement reaction.
About Smelting
- Any metal below Carbon on the Reactivity Series can be extracted from its by smelting with Carbon.
- When the ore is melted it Carbon is added and a displacement reaction happens where the Carbon replaces the metal in the mineral.
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| The Carbon reacts with the mineral in a displacement reaction creating usually producing Carbon Dioxide and the pure metal which is removed from the furnace. Any impurities in the mineral rise to the top and make a layer called slag which is removed. |