How Do You Spell CUPELLATION?

Pronunciation: [kjˌuːpɪlˈe͡ɪʃən] (IPA)

Cupellation is a process in metallurgy used to separate noble metals like gold and silver from base metals. It is pronounced as /ˌkjʊpəˈleɪʃən/, with stress on the second syllable. The spelling of the word can be broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable "cu" is pronounced as /kjʊ/, the second syllable "pe" as /pə/, the third syllable "lla" as /leɪ/, and the final syllable "tion" as /ʃən/. The double "l" in "lla" signifies the pronunciation of the second "l" as a vocalized "l".

CUPELLATION Meaning and Definition

1. Cupellation is a process utilized in analytical chemistry and metallurgy for the separation and purification of precious metals, particularly silver and gold, from base metals and impurities. It involves the use of a special cupel, which is a small, shallow, porous cup made of bone ash, magnesia, or other refractory materials, placed in a high-temperature furnace.

   The cupellation process begins by placing the sample containing the precious metals and impurities onto the cupel. The cupel is then heated in a controlled environment, typically a furnace, to a high temperature, usually exceeding 1000 degrees Celsius. Under these conditions, the impurities and base metals present in the sample oxidize and are absorbed by the cupel, while the precious metals, primarily silver and gold, remain unreacted and are not absorbed.

   The process relies on the fact that base metals and impurities have lower melting points and greater affinities for oxygen compared to precious metals. Thus, they are oxidized and drawn into the cupel, leaving behind the desired silver or gold.

   After cupellation, the residual material left on the cupel, known as the litharge, can be analyzed to determine the quantities of base metals and impurities initially present in the sample. Through further chemical processes, the remaining unabsorbed precious metals can also be separated and quantified.

   Cupellation is considered a crucial and precise method for quantitative analysis of silver and gold in various materials, as well as for the purification of these precious metals.

Common Misspellings for CUPELLATION

• cyupellation

Etymology of CUPELLATION

The word "cupellation" is derived from the Latin term "cupellatio", which itself comes from the Latin verb "cupellare", meaning "to purify metals in a cupel". The Latin term "cupellare" is believed to be derived from the Latin word "cupella", a diminutive form of "cupa", which translates to "cup" or "container". The use of cupels, small cup-like vessels made of bone ash or other porous materials, in the process of refining metals is integral to cupellation. This technique is commonly associated with the purification of precious metals, such as gold or silver, as well as the removal of impurities, such as base metals or other non-valuable materials.

Plural form of CUPELLATION is CUPELLATIONS