Verified Solution • 2025–26 Session moderate

QJEEM23Ch0973: JEE Main 2023 Chemistry - Class 12 JEEM23Ch0973 Solution: Given below are two statements : Statement I : In the…

Given below are two statements :

Statement I : In the metallurgy process, sulphide ore is converted to oxide before reduction.

Statement II : Oxide ores in general are easier to reduce.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Multiple Choice Options

  • A Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
  • B Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
  • C Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
  • D Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

Option A is the correct answer.

Statement I : In the metallurgy process, sulphide ore is converted to oxide before reduction.

This is correct. In metallurgy, it is common to first convert sulphide ores to oxides because it's typically easier to reduce oxides to extract the metal. This process is known as roasting, where the sulphide ore is heated in the presence of air to convert it into an oxide.

2ZnS+3O2→2ZnO+2SO22 \mathrm{ZnS}+3 \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{ZnO}+2 \mathrm{SO}_2

Statement II : Oxide ores in general are easier to reduce.

This is also correct. Oxides are generally easier to reduce than most other types of compounds. This is because the bond between metal and oxygen in metal oxides is often weaker than the bond between metal and other elements in various types of ores. For example, the C-O bond in CO2 (a product of the reduction of a metal oxide) is weaker and more easily broken than the C-S bond in CS2 (a product of the reduction of a metal sulphide), making CO2 more volatile and easier to remove from the system.

So, both Statement I and Statement II are correct, making Option A the right choice.

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