2.3 - Metals and their extraction Flashcards
What is metal extraction?
Metals are extracted from ores which are rocks containing metal compounds found in the earth’s crust
These metals can be extracted using chemical reactions
What is the relationship between metal reactivity and extraction?
The more reactive the metal is, the more stable its metal compound so the harder it is to extract from pure metal - i.e. gold is very uncreative so is found in pure form.
What are the extraction processes depending on the reactivity of the metal
Electrolysis - for metals more reactive than carbon
Reduction with carbon - for metals less reactive than carbon ( cheaper process than electrolysis )
Metals less reactive than hydrogen are found in the native form.
Where is carbon and hydrogen in the reactivity series?
Carbon - between Al and Zinc
Hydrogen - between Lead and Copper
More reactive metals have a greater tendency to ____ (lose/gain) electrons and form positive ions
lose
How can you remember the reactivity series
Please - Potassium Stop - Sodium Calling - Calcium Me - Magnesium A - Aluminium Carless - (Carbon) Zebra - Zinc Instead - Iron Try - Tin Learning - Lead How - (Hydrogen) Copper - Copper Saves - Silver Gold - Gold
What observations determine where these metals are ranked in the reactivity series?
How these elements react with water, acids and steam
Why is it sometimes difficult to rank aluminium in the reactivity series?
Because its protective aluminium oxide layer makes it appear to be less reactive than it really is. When this layer is removed, the observations are more reliable.
What is a displacement reaction and how is it useful?
When a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from a compound
Can be used to investigate the relative reactivities of metals
What is a thermite reaction?
A displacement reaction between aluminium and iron oxide producing aluminium oxide and iron. It releases enough heat to melt the iron so it can used for joining railway tracks together
In a thermite reaction give the chemical reaction formula?
What is oxidised and what is reduced?
aluminium + iron(III) oxide → iron + aluminium oxide
2Al + Fe2O3 → 2Fe + Al2O3
iron(III) oxide is reduced
aluminium is oxidised
What is oxidation?
Gain of oxygen
Loss of electrons
Loss of Hydrogen
The species oxidised is known as the reducing agent
What is reduction?
Loss of oxygen
Gain of electrons
Gain of hydrogen
The species reduced is known as the oxidising agent
A more reactive metal will displace a less reactive metal from a solution of one of its salts. For example:
magnesium + copper(II) sulfate → copper + magnesium sulfate
Mg(s) + CuSO4(aq) → Cu(s) + MgSO4(aq)
What happens in this reaction with respect to colour change?
In this reaction, the blue colour of the copper(II) sulfate fades as it is used up (magnesium sulfate solution is colourless). We would also see copper metal (red/brown solid) forming.
What is an oxidising agent?
The chemical that causes oxidation by providing oxygen
What is a reducing agent?
Causes the other chemical to be reduced by removing oxygen
aluminium + iron(III) oxide → iron + aluminium oxide
2Al + Fe2O3 → 2Fe + Al2O3
In this reaction what chemical is the reducing agent and which chemical is the oxidising agent?
Aluminium has been oxidised. This means that the iron(III) oxide is the oxidising agent. We can also see that the iron(III) oxide has been reduced. This means that the aluminium is the reducing agent
What 4 raw materials are used in extracting iron in a blast furnace?
1) Iron ore (haematite)
2) Coke
3) Limestone
4) Air
What does Iron ore (Haematite) contain and why is it used?
Contains Iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3) It is the compound that the iron is extracted from
What does coke contain and why is it used?
Contains carbon
It is used as a fuel and reacts to form carbon monoxide (needed to reduce the iron(III) oxide)
What does limestone contain and why is it used?
Contains calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
Helps to remove acidic impurities from the iron by reacting with them to form molten slag
What does air contain and why is it used?
Contains oxygen (O2) Provides oxygen to allow the coke to burn, and so produces heat