Metallurgy - JEE Advanced Previous Year Questions with Solutions
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JEE Advanced Previous Year Questions of Chemistry with Solutions are available at eSaral. Practicing JEE Advanced Previous Year Papers Questions of Chemistry will help the JEE aspirants in realizing the question pattern as well as help in analyzing weak & strong areas. Simulator Previous Years JEE Advance Questions Paragraph for questions 1 to 3 Copper is the most nobel of the first row transition metals and occurs in small deposits in several countries. Ores of copper include chalcanthite $\left(\mathrm{CuSO}_{4}, 5 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right),$ atacamite $\left(\mathrm{Cu}_{2} \mathrm{Cl}(\mathrm{OH})_{3}\right),$ cuprite $\left(\mathrm{Cu}_{2} \mathrm{O}\right),$ copper glance (Cu.S) and malachite $\left(\mathrm{Cu}_{2}(\mathrm{OH})_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}\right) .$ However, $80 \%$ of the world copper production comes from the ore chalcopyrite (CuFeS_{2} ) . \text { The extraction of copper from chalcopyrite involves partial roasting, removal of iron and self-reduction. 
[JEE Adv. 2015] 
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions.
Why can't carbon reduce aluminium oxide in metallurgy?
Carbon cannot reduce Al₂O₃ because aluminium is more reactive than carbon and sits higher in the electrochemical series. The Gibbs free energy change for carbon reduction of Al₂O₃ is not sufficiently negative at achievable temperatures. Aluminium is therefore extracted by electrolytic reduction (Hall–Héroult process) using molten cryolite as solvent
Which ores of copper are most important for JEE Advanced?
Chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) is the single most important copper ore for JEE Advanced — 80% of world production comes from it, and it was the basis of an entire 3-question paragraph in JEE Advanced 2010. Copper glance (Cu₂S), cuprite (Cu₂O), and malachite (Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃) are secondary ores worth knowing for matching and identification questions.
What is the weightage of Metallurgy in JEE Advanced?
Metallurgy typically carries 4–8 marks in JEE Advanced Chemistry, appearing as 1–2 questions. While not the heaviest chapter, it is high-scoring because the question patterns repeat consistently across years. Spending 3–4 focused hours on PYQs and reaction mechanisms can reliably secure full marks from this chapter.
What are the roles of anode, cathode, and electrolyte in electrolytic refining of copper?
In electrolytic refining of blister copper: the impure copper block is the anode (it oxidises and dissolves), pure thin copper strips are the cathode (pure Cu²⁺ ions deposit here), and acidified CuSO₄ solution is the electrolyte. Noble impurities (gold, silver, platinum) do not dissolve and collect as anode mud. This was tested in JEE Advanced 2015 as a multi-correct question.
What is the difference between haematite and magnetite in terms of oxidation states?
Haematite (Fe₂O₃) contains iron exclusively in the +3 oxidation state. Magnetite (Fe₃O₄) is a mixed oxide (FeO·Fe₂O₃) containing iron in both +2 and +3 oxidation states simultaneously. This distinction was directly tested in JEE Advanced 2011 and is a frequent source of errors in single-correct questions.
What is self-reduction in metallurgy and which metals use it?
Self-reduction is an extraction method where the sulphide ore itself acts as the reducing agent — no external reducing agent like carbon or hydrogen is needed. The ore is partially roasted to form an oxide, which then reacts with the remaining sulphide. Copper (from Cu₂S) and lead (from PbS/galena) are the primary examples tested in JEE Advanced. The reducing species in copper self-reduction is S²⁻.