Video Transcript
Hematite is one of the most
important iron ores. What is its chemical formula?
In this question, we need to state
the chemical formula for the iron-containing ore hematite. Let’s first describe the element
iron, which is extracted from iron ores. Iron is element number 26 on the
periodic table. Its atomic number of 26 tells us
that an atom of iron has 26 protons in its nucleus. The metal is surprisingly
mechanically robust in its elemental form; that is, it is hard and strong. The pure metal, however, tends to
rust very easily, losing its desirable properties.
Alloys of iron, however, often have
highly desirable properties. For example, iron alloys are often
even more mechanically robust. That is, they are stronger and
harder than pure iron. For example, steel is an alloy of
iron and carbon. And steel is even more resilient
and durable than pure iron. Not only do iron alloys have very
useful properties, but industries that use iron or its alloys, such as the steel
industry, are economically very important. That is why the mining of iron ores
such as hematite is so important.
The extraction of iron from
iron-containing ores is a complex process. We won’t discuss the details here,
but to say that there are various iron-containing ores taken from the Earth to
processing plants for iron extraction. Iron ores include hematite,
magnetite, and others. Many steel manufacturers use
hematite ore because it is an abundant iron oxide compound. This material is present in plenty
of rocks and soils and is easier to access than some of the less abundant iron
ores.
Hematite ore has a high metallic
content and can have several different colors. It can be black or brown or even
red. We are asked for hematite’s
formula. Hematite is an iron oxide. That is, it contains iron and
oxygen. Specifically, hematite contains,
amongst other particles like silica in sand, iron(III) oxide. So what is its formula? It is Fe2O3.
