C2C - Extracting Metals Flashcards
Why after extraction can copper not be used ?
It’s not pure enough
How can copper be extracted ?
Heating copper ore with carbon
What’s the problems with unpure copper ?
It won’t conduct very well
What is the name of the process in which pure copper is obtained ?
Electrolysis
What does electrolysis mean ?
The splitting up of something using electricity
What is the copper immersed in ?
A liquid called the electrolyte which conducts electricity
What are electrolytes ?
Free ions dissolved in water
In the electrolysis what is the electrolyte ?
Copper sulfate solution
What kind of ions does copper sulfate solution contain ?
Cu2+ ions
What actually happens during electrolysis ?
1) electrons from copper atoms are pulled off at the anode. Causing them to go back into the solution as Cu2+ ions
2) electrons are offered at the cathode to nearby Cu2+ ions which turns them back into copper atoms
3) the impurities are dropped at the anode as sludge whilst pure copper atoms bond to the cathode
The cathode is the ——– electrode ?
Negative
Pure copper is what at the cathode ?
Deposited
What is reduction ?
The gain of electrons or the removal of oxygen
Where does reduction take place ?
At the cathode
The positive electrode is called ?
The anode
What happens to copper at the anode ?
It dissolves
What is oxidation ?
The loss of electrons / the addition of oxygen
Where does oxidation take place ?
Anode
What gains mass during electrolysis ?
Cathode
What loses mass during electrolysis ?
Anode
What are the benefits of recycling copper rather than just mining for more ?
1) cheaper to recycle than it is to mind and extract
2) only using 15% of energy that would be used to mine the same amount
What can an alloy be ?
A mixture of two or more different metals or a mixture of a metal and non metal
Why would an alloy be more useful than the pure metal ?
They have properties that are different from the pure metal usually making them more useful
What is steel an alloy of ?
Iron and Carbon
Why would we rather have steel than just iron ?
It’s harder and stronger
Why would we add carbon to the iron ?
Iron on its own will corrode quickly so adding a bit of carbon to make it into steel makes a big difference
Name 3 things made from steel ?
Bridges
Cutlery
Washing machines
Copper and zinc make what alloy ?
Bronze
How would you describe the properties of brass ?
Just a mixture of copper and zinc but a lot harder
What is brass used for ?
Musical instruments
What is bronze an alloy of ?
Copper and Tin
Properties of bronze are ?
Much harder
Much stronger
More resistant to corrosion
What is solder an alloy of ?
Lead and tin
Why is solder useful for soldering things ?
Because unlike pure metals it doesn’t have a definite melting point. It just gradually solidifies as it cools down
What does the alloy amalgam contain ?
Mercury
What’s a large scale use of amalgam ?
Filling teeth
What is the name for the family of smart alloys ?
Nitinol
When Jack sits on his glasses they go back to the original shape. How ?
Made of nitinol which has shape memory
What’s nitinol made out of ?
Nickel & Titanium
