The method of zone refining of metals is based upon the principle ofa)...
Principle of Zone Refining of Metals:
The method of zone refining involves the purification of metals by selectively melting and solidifying a small region or zone of the material. This process is based on the principle that impurities have a higher solubility in the molten state than in the solid state of the metal.
Explanation:
The process of zone refining involves the following steps:
1. Melting:
The impure metal is initially melted at one end of a long rod or filament. This forms a molten zone at the heated end.
2. Movement of Molten Zone:
The molten zone is then slowly moved along the length of the rod or filament. As the molten zone moves, impurities from the solid region dissolve into the liquid, while the pure metal crystallizes out in the solid state.
3. Solidification:
As the molten zone moves further, it drags the impurities along with it, resulting in a gradual increase in the purity of the metal. The impurities get concentrated in the trailing end of the molten zone.
4. Repeating the Process:
The process of moving the molten zone is repeated multiple times, each time refining the metal further. This is done until the desired level of purity is achieved.
Reasoning:
The principle behind the zone refining method lies in the difference in solubility between impurities and the pure metal in the molten state compared to the solid state.
When the impure metal is heated and melted, the impurities dissolve more readily in the molten metal compared to the solid metal. This is because the arrangement of atoms in the liquid state is less ordered, allowing impurities to be incorporated more easily.
As the molten zone moves along the rod, the impurities are carried along with it. However, when the molten zone solidifies, the impurities have a lower solubility in the solid metal compared to the pure metal. As a result, the impurities are rejected and get concentrated in the trailing end of the molten zone.
By repeating this process multiple times, the purity of the metal is gradually increased as impurities are continuously removed. This method is particularly effective for removing impurities with higher solubility in the molten state, resulting in a highly purified metal product.
Therefore, option A is correct: the method of zone refining of metals is based on the principle of greater solubility of the impurity in the molten state than in the solid state of the metal.