5.(a) Why is it possible to separate thecomponents of air?what's meant by the term reduction
Chemistry · High School · Mon Jan 18 2021
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(a) Separation of Components of Air:
The separation of components of air is possible because air is a mixture of gases, and each gas component has its own distinct physical properties. Various techniques can be employed to separate these components based on differences in properties such as boiling points, solubility, and molecular weights. Here are a few common methods:
1.Fractional Distillation: This is the most common method for separating components of air. It relies on the differences in boiling points of the gases. Air is cooled and compressed to liquify it, and then it is gradually heated. Different gases in the mixture will vaporize at their respective boiling points, allowing for separation.
2.Adsorption: Some components of air can be selectively adsorbed onto a solid surface. This is the principle behind processes like pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and temperature swing adsorption (TSA).
3.Membrane Separation: Membrane technologies use selective permeability of membranes to separate gases based on their molecular size and affinity for the membrane material.
4.Cryogenic Separation: At very low temperatures, gases can be separated using the differences in their boiling points. This is often employed for the separation of oxygen and nitrogen.
(b) Reduction:
In chemistry, the term "reduction" refers to a chemical reaction in which an atom, ion, or molecule gains electrons. It involves a decrease in oxidation state. Reduction is often coupled with oxidation in a reaction called a redox (oxidation-reduction) reaction.
For example, consider the reaction:
Fe3++e−→Fe2+
In this reaction, iron (Fe) is undergoing reduction because it gains an electron (e^-) and undergoes a decrease in oxidation state from +3 to +2.
Reduction reactions are essential in various biological, industrial, and environmental processes. In the context of separation processes, reduction reactions may be involved in the removal of oxygen from a system or the conversion of one chemical species to another through gain of electrons.