Question

Give balanced equations for the following.
"Extraction of silver from silver glance by cyanide process".

Answer 1

In case of silver metal, the sulphide ore is treated with sodium cyanide. Sodium argentocynade complex is formed, which on treating with zinc metal gives silver.
`Ag_(2)S + 4NaCN rarr 2N[Ag(CN)_(2)] + Na_(2)S`
`2Na[Ag(CN)_(2)] + Zn rarr underset ("Soluble") (Na_(2)[Zn(CN)_(4)]) + underset ("ppt")(2 Ag) darr`.