Measuring Iron Content in Iron Ore Samples: A Comprehensive Guide
Iron is an essential element in various metallurgical processes. To accurately determine the iron content in iron ore samples, a common method involves precipitating the iron as Fe(OH)3, then igniting it to Fe2O3, and weighing the resulting mass. Let's explore the detailed steps to measure the iron content in a 2.287-g sample of iron ore using this method.
The Process of Determining Iron Content in Iron Ore
The process begins by precipitating the iron as Fe(OH)3. Fe(OH)3 is then ignited, which results in the formation of Fe2O3. After ignition, the net weight of the Fe2O3 is measured. For this specific sample, the weight of Fe2O3 obtained is 0.8792 g. The next step is to determine the percentage of iron (Fe) in the original sample of iron ore based on this measurement.
Step-by-Step Approach to Calculate Iron Content
Step 1: Molar Mass Calculations
To calculate the mass of iron (Fe) in the sample, we first need to determine the molar mass of Fe2O3. The molar mass of Fe2O3 can be calculated using the individual molar masses of iron (Fe) and oxygen (O).
Molar mass of Fe: 55.85 g/mol Molar mass of O: 16.00 g/mol Molar mass of Fe2O3:Fe2O3 2(55.85 g/mol) 3(16.00 g/mol) 111.7 g/mol 48.00 g/mol 159.7 g/mol
Step 2: Calculate the Mass of Fe in Fe2O3
The amount of iron in one mole of Fe2O3 can be determined as follows:
Amount of iron in 1 mole of Fe2O3 111.7 g Fe
To find the mass of Fe in 0.8792 g of Fe2O3:
Mass of Fe 0.8792 g × (111.7 g Fe / 159.7 g Fe2O3) ≈ 0.6149 g Fe
Step 3: Calculate the Percentage of Fe in the Sample
The final step is to calculate the percentage of Fe in the original 2.287-g sample of iron ore:
Percentage of Fe (0.6149 g Fe / 2.287 g sample) × 100 ≈ 26.89%
Conclusion and FAQ
By following the above steps, we can accurately determine the iron content in iron ore samples. This method is widely used in the metallurgical industry to ensure the quality of iron ore. If you have any further questions or need assistance with similar calculations, feel free to reach out.