Question

Why is zone refining carried out in an inert atmosphere?

(a) To prevent reduction of metal

(b) To prevent oxidation of metal

(c) To reduce the external pressure

(d) To reduce the external temperature

I had been asked this question by my college professor while I was bunking the class.

I would like to ask this question from Refining in chapter General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements of Chemistry – Class 12

Answer 1

Right choice is (b) To prevent oxidation of metal

Easy explanation: In zone refining, when the melt of an impure metal is allowed to cool, the pure metal crystallizes out while the impurities remain in the melt. This process is usually carried out in an inert atmosphere to prevent the oxidation of the metal.