Page 207 - ICSE Chemistry 8

Take a Break!

Write true (T) or false (F).
1. The amorphous forms of carbon contain loosely held par cles and hence have no
par cular shape or structure. ______

2. Wood charcoal is used as a reducing agent in extrac on of non-metals from their
metallic ores. ______

3. Ac vated charcoal is used as a fuel in various chemical reac ons. ______
4. Bone charcoal is a good decolourising agent. ______

5. Sugar charcoal is the purest available amorphous form of carbon. ______

Coke

Coke is a greyish-black, solid substance that burns without smoke. It is obtained by destruc ve dis lla on
of coal. It contains about 95–98% carbon.
Types of Coke

Coke is of two types: hard coke and so coke.
Hard coke: It is a light, lustrous substance used in industrial furnaces.

So coke: It is a black, porous substance used in household furnaces.

While preparing coke through destruc ve dis lla on of coal, a wide range of by-products are also obtained
such as coal gas, coal tar and gas carbon. Coke is a good reducing agent.

Uses of Coke

• It is a very important household and industrial fuel.
• Coke is used as a reducing agent in the extrac on of some metals like zinc and iron from their ores.

• It is used to manufacture water gas (CO + H ), producer gas (CO + N ) and ar fi cial graphite.
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• It is used to prepare carbon monoxide which is also a very good reducing agent.
• Coke is used to manufacture metallic carbides, for example, calcium carbide.

Gas Carbon

Gas carbon is a greyish substance obtained by destruc ve dis lla on of coal. It is also obtained by hea ng
petroleum products (or hydrocarbons) at a high temperature in a closed vessel. During this process,
carbon par cles deposit on the walls of the container and are collected to form gas carbon.

Uses of Gas Carbon

Gas carbon is a good conductor of electricity. Therefore, it is used for making electrodes of dry cells and
carbon rods for arc lamps.

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