C6.1 Flashcards
what is acid mine drainage?
mines that flood when they are abandoned
how does acid mine drainage occur?
reactions occur between metal sulfides and other metal ores, these reactions happen naturally but certain bacteria make them go faster
bioleaching
biological method of metal extraction in which bacteria speed up reactions that release soluble metal compounds from metal sulfides
advantages of bioleaching
-cheaper than traditional mining
-allows metals to be extracted from ores that contain too little metal for traditional methods to be profitable
-bacteria occurs naturally and don’t need any special treatment
-doesn’t release harmful sulfur dioxide
disadvantages of bioleaching
-slow process
-can produce toxic substances
-lots of care needs to be taken to avoid toxic chemicals escaping into water supplies and soil
phytoextraction
biological method of metal extraction in which plants absorb metals through their roots and concentrate them in their cells
advantages of phytoextraction
-cheaper than traditional mining
-produces less waste
-involves smaller energy transfer
-closer to being a carbon neutral activity
-absorbs CO2 for photosynthesis when they grow
disadvantages of phytoextraction
-slow process
-crops may need replanting for years before available metal is removed from the soil
-releases CO2
what is the reactivity series?
- Potassium
2.Sodium
3.Lithium
4.Calcium
5.Magnesium
6.Aluminium
7.Zinc
8.Iron
9.Lead
10.Copper
11.Silver
12.Gold
13.Platinum
where does carbon fit on the reactivity scale?
in between aluminium and zinc
what is the method of extraction for the top 6 elements in the reactivity scale?
electrolysis of molten ores
what is the method of extraction for the middle four elements of the reactivity scale?
reduction of ores using carbon
what is the method of extraction for the bottom three elements in the reactivity series?
metals occur uncombined- mine directly out of ground
what is an ore?
a rock or mineral that contains enough metal to make it economical to extract the metal (the value of the metal is more than the cost of extracting it)
what does malachite contain?
copper carbonate
what does bauxite contain?
aluminium oxide
what does haematite contain?
iron (III) oxide
how does extracting metals by heating with carbon work?
-any metal below carbon on the reactivity series can be extracted from its metal compound by heating with carbon or carbon monoxide- this is an example of a redox reaction
-the metal oxide loses oxygen, it is reduced, this forms a metal
-the carbon/carbon monoxide gains oxygen, it is oxidised, this forms carbon dioxide, the carbon/ carbon monoxide is acting as the reducing agent
what is oxidation in terms of oxygen?
gain of oxygen
what is reduction in terms of oxygen?
loss of oxygen
what factors might be considered before a metal ore is mined?
if there is enough metal in the rock to make it economical to extract it
why can carbon be used to extract metals such as copper and iron from their ore?
carbon is more reactive than copper and iron so a displacement reaction takes place and the metal becomes reduced
why can’t carbon be used to extract metals such as aluminium?
aluminium is more reactive than carbon so no displacement reaction takes place
what does aluminium naturally exist as?
aluminium oxide (Al2O3)
where is aluminium oxide found?
in the ore called bauxite
what is aluminium used for?
making aircrafts, cooking foils and drinks cans