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Zone refining of metals works on the principle that

1. impurities dissolve more readily in the melt than in the solid phase
2. the pure metal has higher mobility than the impurity
3. the impurity has a higher melting point than the pure metal
4. the solid metal is more noble than the impurity

Correct answer: impurities dissolve more readily in the melt than in the solid phase

Solution

Zone refining relies on the fact that impurities are more soluble in the molten metal than in the solidifying solid. As the molten zone is swept along, impurities concentrate in the melt and are carried to one end, leaving pure metal behind.

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