Iron is obtained from the following ores: red iron ore FE2O4 and magnetic iron ore FE3O2.

Iron is obtained from the following ores: red iron ore FE2O4 and magnetic iron ore FE3O2. Which ore has the highest iron content?

The mass fraction of iron in the ore is equal to the ratio of the molar masses of iron atoms in a molecule to the molar mass of one oxide molecule.

Let us determine the mass fraction of iron in these two oxides.

Fe2O4

M Fe2O4 = 56 x 2 + 16 x 4 = 176 grams / mol;

M Fe2 = 56 x2 = 112 grams / mol;

K Fe2O4 = 112/176 = 0.636 = 63.6%

Fe3O2

M Fe3O2 = 56 x 3 + 16 x 2 = 200 grams / mol;

M Fe3 = 56 x 3 = 168 grams / mol;

K Fe3O2 = 168/200 = 0.84 = 84%

The iron content in Fe3O2 is higher than in Fe2O4;