JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3mt017
Haematite containing silica as the main gangue is smelted with limestone. The flux that actually acts on the gangue, and the slag formed, are respectively
ACaO and FeSiOX3
BSiOX2 and CaSiOX3
CCaO and CaSiOX3
DCaCOX3 and CaSiOX3
Answer: C
Limestone decomposes (CaCOX3CaO+COX2) and the basic oxide CaO is the flux that combines with acidic SiOX2 to give the fusible slag CaSiOX3. Iron silicate is formed in the copper process, not here, and silica is the impurity, not the flux.