JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3mt030
In the Parkes process for desilverisation of argentiferous lead, molten zinc is added to molten lead. The process works because
Asilver is much more soluble in molten zinc than in molten lead, and zinc and lead are immiscible
Bzinc and lead are miscible and form a eutectic with silver
Csilver is more soluble in lead, so zinc dissolves the lead only
Dzinc reduces silver sulphide to silver
Answer: A
Zinc and lead do not mix, and silver distributes itself strongly into the zinc layer. The zinc-silver alloy, being less dense, forms a crust on top of the molten lead and is skimmed off, after which zinc is distilled away from silver.