Question

The function of potassium ethyl xanthate in froth floatation process is to make the ore:
A.Attracted towards water
B.Water repellant
C.Lighter
D.Heavier

Answer 1

Hint: Froth Floatation is the method used for concentrating an ore in order to purify the ore. Usually sulphide ores are concentrated with this method. It is one of the main methods used for concentrating the ore.

Complete step by step answer:

This process is usually used by taking the benefit of the property of hydrophobicity of the minerals in order to separate them from the gangue i.e. the unwanted impurities present in the ores of the elements.
 In this process different substances are used for the purpose of refinement: these are collected, froth stabilizers, foaming agents etc. Oil and water are used in this process and the method takes the advantage of the principle according to which the ore particles are preferentially wetted by oil and the impurities are wetted by water.
Foaming agents to make the froth are used during this process and pine oil is used as a foaming agent. Froth stabilizers are used to stabilize the froth during the process so that the froth easily gets separated from the ore. Aniline and cresol are usually used for this purpose. Collectors are also used to increase the hydrophobicity of the mineral to be separated and it acts as a surfactant. The technique of froth floatation is widely used in the mining industry.
Potassium ethyl xanthate is used as water repellent in the process of froth floatation i.e. it does not allow the water molecules to penetrate the ore particles during the process of concentration of the ore. Thus it separates the ore and gangue during the process of froth floatation and makes ease in the purification of the ore in the purest form. It is an organosulfur compound and is pale yellow in colour.
So the option B is the correct answer.


Note:
Only sulphide ores are concentrated by the method of Froth Floatation because the pine oil used as the foaming agent in the process selectively wets the sulphide ores only during the process of the concentration of the ores.