1.

Defineamalgamation. Discussitsusein thepurificationof goldand silver.CanFebe purifiedbythis method ?

Answer»

Solution :A homogeneousmixtureofa metaloranon- metalwithmercuryis calledamalgam. Sincetheatomicradii OFAG(144 pm) and Au (144 pm ) arequiteclosetoHg (157 pm ) butwidelydifferentfromFe (126 pm ),therefore,AG andAuformamalgamsbutFedoesnot. Whenimpuresilverorgoldistreatedwithmercury,itformsamalgamleavingbehindimpurities.
` 2 Ag +X Hgtounderset ("Silver amalgam ")(Ag_2 Hg _ x ) ,2Au +x Hg tounderset ("Gold amalgam") (Au_2 Hg_x ) `
Theseamalgams areseparatedfromtheimpuritiesanddistilled,mercurydistilsover leavingbehind puresilverorgold.


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