Zinc is extracted from zinc blende by

Options

A. Carbon reduction process
B. Nitrogen reduction process
C. Oxygen reduction process
D. All of these

Answer

To extract zinc from zinc blende (ZnS), the following steps are typically involved in the carbon reduction process:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Concentration of Ore**:
- The first step in the extraction of zinc is the concentration of the zinc blende ore. This is usually done through froth flotation, where the ore is crushed and mixed with water and chemicals to separate zinc sulfide from other minerals.

**Hint**: Concentration helps to increase the percentage of zinc in the ore.

2. **Roasting**:
- The concentrated zinc blende (ZnS) is then subjected to roasting in the presence of oxygen. During this process, zinc sulfide is converted into zinc oxide (ZnO) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas.
- The reaction can be represented as:
\[ 2ZnS + 3O_2 \rightarrow 2ZnO + 2SO_2 \]

**Hint**: Roasting is essential to convert the sulfide into an oxide, which is more suitable for reduction.

3. **Reduction of Zinc Oxide**:
- The zinc oxide obtained from roasting is then reduced to zinc metal using carbon (usually in the form of coke) in a furnace. The carbon reacts with the zinc oxide to produce zinc and carbon monoxide.
- The reaction can be represented as:
\[ ZnO + C \rightarrow Zn + CO \]

**Hint**: The reduction process is crucial as it transforms the oxide into the pure metal.

4. **Collection of Zinc**:
- The zinc vapor produced during the reduction process is then cooled and condensed to obtain pure zinc metal.

**Hint**: The collection step ensures that the zinc is in a usable form after extraction.

### Final Answer:
Zinc is extracted from zinc blende by the carbon reduction process.