In the extraction of gold, the cyanide solution acts as aa)leaching ag...
When the gold pass in to the solution of sodium or potassium cyanide forming the respective soluble complex cyanides while the impurities remain unaffected which are filtered off.
View all questions of this test
In the extraction of gold, the cyanide solution acts as aa)leaching ag...
Answer:
The correct answer is option 'B': The cyanide solution acts as a leaching agent that acts as a complex forming reactant.
Explanation:
1. Introduction:
Gold extraction is a complex process that involves various stages, including crushing, grinding, and chemical reactions. One of the common methods used for gold extraction is the cyanide process. In this process, gold is extracted by dissolving it in a weak cyanide solution.
2. Role of Cyanide Solution:
The cyanide solution plays a crucial role in the extraction of gold. It acts as a leaching agent that acts as a complex forming reactant. Let's understand the process in detail:
3. Leaching:
Leaching is the process of extracting a substance from a solid material by dissolving it in a liquid. In the case of gold extraction, leaching refers to the dissolution of gold particles from the ore.
4. Complex Formation:
In the cyanide process, the cyanide solution dissolves gold by forming a soluble complex. The gold particles in the ore react with the cyanide ions (CN-) present in the solution to form a stable complex known as the gold cyanide complex. This complex is soluble in water and can be easily separated from the ore.
5. Chemical Reaction:
The overall chemical reaction that takes place during the extraction of gold using cyanide solution can be represented as follows:
Au(s) + 2CN-(aq) + O2(g) + H2O(l) → [Au(CN)2]-(aq) + OH-(aq)
In this reaction, gold (Au) reacts with cyanide ions (CN-) in the presence of oxygen (O2) and water (H2O) to form the gold cyanide complex ([Au(CN)2]-) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
6. Significance of Complex Formation:
The formation of the gold cyanide complex is crucial for the extraction of gold. This complex is soluble in water, allowing the gold to be easily separated from the ore. Without the formation of this complex, the gold particles would remain in the ore and would be difficult to extract.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the cyanide solution acts as a leaching agent that acts as a complex forming reactant during the extraction of gold. It dissolves gold particles by forming a stable gold cyanide complex, which can be easily separated from the ore.