Extraction Using Heat

In this video, we will look at the chemistry behind the production of iron from iron ore. In early Earth history, iron, like all other metals, would have been found as an element in the crust of the planet. Later when plants evolved that released oxygen. Iron combined with this new reactive gas making oxides. This process would have taken many millions of years. Iron is found as the compound iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3 in the ore known as haematite. To displace iron from its oxide we need a material that is more reactive than iron, inexpensive, and easily obtainable. Carbon ticks all those boxes! Until the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, the source of carbon had been charcoal, which contributed to deforestation in many parts of Europe. The discovery that coke, almost pure carbon, could be made from coal was a major breakthrough.