C1 Extracting metals and Alloys Flashcards
What is an ore?
A rock from which it is economical viable to extract the metal
Give 1 reason why the economics of extracting from ores can change?
If the price of the metal changes then its extraction can become more or less cost effective
Give 5 ways mining ores has an impact.
Dust
Noise
Increased traffic
Eyesore
Increase in jobs
Why is Gold found in the ground as an element?
Low reactivity
How is iron extracted from its ore?
Using carbon in the blast furnace
What type of reaction is used to extracted iron from its ore?
Reduction
Give a word equation for this reaction.
Iron oxide + Carbon → Iron + carbon dioxide
Why is the extraction of iron possible?
Carbon is more reactive than iron
How is aluminium extracted from its ore?
electrolysis
Why is the extraction of aluminium not the same as iron?
Aluminium is more reactive than carbon
Give 2 reasons why the extraction of aluminium is expensive.
Energy needed to melt the aluminium oxide, electricity needed for the electrolysis
How is copper extracted from copper-rich ores?
Smelting
How is copper purified?
Electrolysis
What other method can be used to extract copper from solutions of copper salts?
Displacement
New methods of extracting copper are being researched, why?
Running out of high grade ores
What is Bioleaching?
Bioleaching uses bacteria to produce leachate solutions that contain metal compounds
What is Phytomining?
Phytomining uses plants to absorb metals compounds. The plants are burned to make ash.
Give 3 reasons why we should recycle metals?
Less energy is needed
Less harmful emissions like sulphur dioxide
Metals are a limited resource
How much iron is found in iron from the blast furnace?
96%
What effect do the impurities in the metal have on the properties and uses?
Makes the metal harder
Why is pure iron not used?
Too soft
What is an alloy?
Mixture of metals
Compare the structure of a pure metal and an alloy.
Pure metals is softer and more malleable and ductile since the layers slide over each other. In an alloy the additional elements stop the layers sliding and make it harder
What is steel?
Iron mixed with carbon and sometimes other metals
Give 1 property and use of low-carbon steel.
Easily shaped used for car bodies
Give 1 property and use of high-carbon steel.
Brittle but hard used for drill bits
Give 1 property and use of stainless steel.
Resistant to corrosion used in cutlery
What type of metals are copper and iron?
Transition metals
Give 3 properties of these types of metals.
Conduct electricity and heat, malleable and ductile
Give 2 uses of copper.
Electrical wires, pipes
Give 2 properties of Aluminium and Titanium that make them useful.
Low density and resistant to corrosion
