Which of the following metals cannot be refined by distillation?

a)
Zinc

b)
Cadmium

c)
Mercury

d)
Tin

Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Which of the following metals cannot be refined by distillation?a)Zincb)Cadmiumc)Mercuryd)TinCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Answer

Explanation:

Zinc, Cadmium, Mercury, and Tin are all metals that can be refined by distillation. However, Tin is the only metal among the options that cannot be refined through distillation.

Reasons why Tin cannot be refined by distillation:

- Low boiling point: Tin has a relatively high boiling point compared to other metals like Zinc, Cadmium, and Mercury. This high boiling point makes it difficult to separate tin from impurities by distillation.

- Formation of complexes: Tin tends to form complexes with other elements, making it challenging to separate it through distillation alone. These complexes can have different boiling points, further complicating the refining process.

- Alternative methods: Due to the challenges associated with distillation, alternative methods such as electrolysis or fractional crystallization are commonly used for refining tin.

Conclusion:

While Zinc, Cadmium, and Mercury can be effectively refined by distillation, Tin presents unique challenges due to its high boiling point and tendency to form complexes with other elements. As a result, alternative refining methods are often preferred for Tin.

Answer

Distillation process is used for refining metals that are usually volatile in nature. Zinc, cadmium and mercury are refined vial distillation where the pure metal distils over, leaving behind the non-volatile impurities.

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