A metal M is found in nature as MCO3. It is used in galvanising iron articles. Name the metal.

Question

(i) A metal M is found in nature as MCO₃. It is used in galvanising iron articles. Name the metal.
(ii) How can the metal be obtained from its carbonate ore?

Answer 1

(i) The metal is zinc (Zn).
(ii) The carbonate ore is first heated strongly in limited supply of oxygen and changed into its oxide. This process is called calcination.
 ZnCO₃(s) +Heat----->ZnO(s) +CO₂(g)
Zinc oxide is then reduced to zinc metal by heating it with carbon. This process is called reduction.
 ZnO(s) + C(s) +Heat ---->   Zn(s) + CO(g)