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CAIE IGCSE Chemistry Iron Extraction Reactions

Practise sequencing and balancing blast-furnace equations for coke combustion, carbon monoxide formation, hematite reduction and slag production.

Syllabus
2026–2028
Course
Chemistry 0620

Exam points

  • write coke combustion and carbon dioxide reduction equations that produce heat and carbon monoxide
  • balance the reduction of iron(III) oxide by carbon monoxide to iron and carbon dioxide
  • write limestone decomposition and calcium silicate formation to explain impurity removal

9.6.4—Symbol equations for the extraction of question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

Iron ore contains iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}. A blast furnace is used to extract iron from Fe2O3\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}.
Equations for some of the reactions in the blast furnace are shown.

equation \(1 \mathrm{C}+\mathrm{O}_{2} \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_{2}\)

equation \(2 \mathrm{CaCO}_{3} \rightarrow \mathrm{CaO}+\mathrm{CO}_{2}\)

equation \(3 \quad \mathrm{CaO}+\mathrm{SiO}_{2} \rightarrow \mathrm{CaSiO}_{3}\)

Iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}, in iron ore is converted to iron when it reacts with carbon monoxide, CO , in the blast furnace.

Write the symbol equation to show the reaction that occurs when iron(III) oxide is converted to iron in the blast furnace.

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