Question Video: Identifying the Symbolic Equation for the Oxidation of Phosphorus Impurities in Iron Ores Chemistry • Third Year of Secondary School

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Which of the following is the correct symbolic equation for the oxidation of phosphorus impurities in iron ores? [A] 4P (s) + 5O₂ (g) react while heating to form 2P₂O₅ (g) [B] P (s) + O₂ (g) react while heating to form PO₂ (g) [C] 2P (s) + 5O₂ (g) react while heating to form P₂O₂ (l) [D] 2P (s) + 2O₂ (g) react while heating to form P₂O₄ (g) [E] 3P (s) + O₂ (g) react while heating to form 2P₃O₂ (l)

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Video Transcript

Which of the following is the correct symbolic equation for the oxidation of phosphorus impurities in iron ores? (A) Four P solid plus five O2 gas react while heating to form two P2O5 gas. (B) P solid plus O2 gas react while heating to form PO2 gas. (C) Two P solid plus five O2 gas react while heating to form P2O2 liquid. (D) Two P solid plus 2O2 gas react while heating to form P2O4 gas. (E) Three P solid plus O2 gas react while heating to form two P3O2 liquid.

Pure iron metal is extracted from unrefined iron containing ores, such as hematite. The unrefined ore often contains a variety of impurities, such as iron(II) carbonate, water, sulfur, and phosphorus. To remove the impurities, the iron ore is crushed and then roasted at a high temperature in an aerated room or oven. Under these conditions, the phosphorus impurities in the iron ore can react with oxygen in the air to form diphosphorus pentoxide. Shown here is the complete balanced equation for this reaction.

So the correct symbolic equation for the oxidation of phosphorus impurities in iron ore is answer choice (A): four P solid plus five O2 gas react while heating to form two P2O5 gas.