This chemistry question involves key chemical concepts and calculations. The detailed solution below walks through each step, from identifying the reaction type to computing the final answer.
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c) The hot air blasts provide oxygen for the combustion of coke (carbon). This combustion generates the high temperatures required for the reactions in the furnace and produces carbon monoxide, which acts as the primary reducing agent for iron ore. d) Yes, it is possible to separate iron from the slag. Molten iron is denser than molten slag, so it sinks to the bottom of the furnace. The lighter slag floats on top of the molten iron, allowing them to be tapped off separately. e) The main reaction that takes place to produce iron in the blast furnace is the reduction of iron(III) oxide by carbon monoxide: Fe_2O_3(s) + 3CO(g) → 2Fe(l) + 3CO_2(g) f) Iron obtained from the furnace (pig iron) contains a high percentage of impurities, mainly carbon (around 3-5%), along with silicon, manganese, phosphorus, and sulfur. These impurities make the iron brittle and unsuitable for structural applications like building bridges. It must be treated to remove most of these impurities, typically by converting it into steel, which is stronger, more ductile, and less brittle. g) Galvanized iron is iron that has been coated with a protective layer of zinc. h) It is necessary to galvanize iron to prevent it from rusting (corrosion). The zinc coating provides both a physical barrier against oxygen and water, and sacrificial protection, where zinc preferentially corrodes instead of iron if the coating is scratched. i) One environmental hazard associated with the extraction of iron is air pollution from the release of gases like carbon dioxide (CO_2), a greenhouse gas, and sulfur dioxide (SO_2), which causes acid rain.