C1 Topic 4 - Obtaining And Using Metals

Question 0

Define reduction, in terms of the extraction of metal from its ore.

Answer 0

Loss of oxygen

Question 1

Define oxidation, in terms of the creation of ores.

Answer 1

Gain of oxygen

Question 2

Name the metals in the reactivity series in order of most reactive to least reactive, include carbon.

Answer 2

Potassium
Sodium
Calcium
Magnesium
Aluminium
(Carbon)
Zinc
Iron
Tin
Lead
Copper
Silver
Gold
Platinum

Question 3

State some properties of metals.

Answer 3

Strong, but workable
Ductile
Conductors of heat and electricity

Question 4

What is corrosion.

Answer 4

Corrosion is the oxidation of a metal.

Question 5

How can pure metals, such as iron, be made stronger? Explain why this is?

Answer 5

Metals can be strengthened by converting them into an alloy. Iron, for example, can be made into steel by adding carbon. This happens because pure iron is arranged regularly, on the atomic level, and the atoms slide over each other easily. When carbon is added, it disrupts the regular arrangement and makes the alloy much stronger.

Question 6

Define a smart alloy.

Answer 6

A smart alloy can return to its original shape when heated, an example of this is nitinol, a mixture of nickel and titanium. Uses include frames for glasses and stents which are used in damaged blood vessels.

Question 7

Name some benefits of recycling metals.

Answer 7

Use less resources - limited amount of metal on Earth, recycling conserves it
Use less energy - recycling tends to use less energy than extracting the metal does
Use less money - recycling is cheaper than extracting more of than material
Produces less waste - recycling cuts down the amount of waste going to landfills, meaning less space is wasted and less pollution is made