Chapter 14 - Making Use of Metals Flashcards
Where do we find most metals?
In the earth’s crust
What is the crust mainly made up of?
Compounds, some elements such as:
- Cu, Ag, Hg, Pt, Au - occur native
- 45% O2
- 27% silicon
Why do some elements occur native in the crust?
They’re uncombined because they are “unreactive”
What are the two main non-metal elements in the crust?
What compounds do they occur in?
Si and O - make up nearly 3/4
- occur together in compounds e.g silicon dioxide (silica or sand)
- O2 found in compounds such as iron(III) oxide, aluminium oxide, calcium carbonate
What percentage of the earth’s crust is metal?
2%
What metals are classified as “precious metals” and why?
Gold, silver, platinum and palladium
- scarce, expensive, often kept as a store of wealth
Definition of ore
a rock from which metals are obtained / extracted
What ore is sodium chloride found in?
rock salt
What ore is aluminium oxide found in? What other elements are in this ore?
bauxite
- contains impurities such as sand and iron oxide
6 questions mining companies must consider before digging up ore?
- how much ore is there
- how much metal will we get from it
- are there any special problems getting the ore out
- how much will it cost to mine the ore and extract the metal from it
- how much will we be able to sell the metal for
- will they make profit
what do the costs of mining consist of? 8
roads, buildings, mining equipment, the extraction plant, transport, fuel, chemicals and wages
Can the prices of an ore change?
Yes - even low-quality / low-grade ore may be valuable one year
why may local people object to mining operations?
What are the pros?
- may spoil an area
- air and rivers can become polluted
P - may welcome new jobs
How would you extract metals such as gold, silver or platinum from the earth?
They are native - occur in their ore as elements
All you need to do is separate the metal from sand and other impurities
DOES NOT INVOLVE CHEMICAL REACTIONS
What does extract mean?
To remove a metal from its ore
How are metals less reactive than carbon extracted?
They’re heated with carbon (or CO) or a suitable reducing agent so that they’re reduced
They’re less stable
How are metals more reactive than carbon extracted?
Their compounds are very stable
- need electrolysis to reduce them
- costs a lot because it uses electricity
In what form is carbon used during extraction?
in the form of coke (coal)
What 3 metals are below C in the reactivity series?
Zn, Fe, Pb
What 5 metals are above C in the reactivity series?
K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al
What form is the metal in when its added to carbon in a furnace?
In its metal oxide
What does the actual reducing during the process using carbon for extraction?
If carbon reacts with the limited amount of oxygen, this may bring about the actual reduction
Give the basic chemical equation for the extraction of iron ore
Fe2O3 + 3CO —> 2Fe + 3CO2
iron (III) oxide
Give the basic chemical equation for the extraction of aluminium ore
(extracted by electroysis)
2Al2O3 —> 4Al + 3O2
What does zinc blende consist of?
Mainly zinc sulfide - ZnS
What is the first step in extracting zinc from zinc blended?
Give the equation
First, zinc blende is roasted in air giving zinc oxide and sulfur dioxide.
2ZnS + 3O2 —> 2ZnO + SO2
In which two ways can zinc oxide be turned into zinc
- Using carbon monoxide
2. By electrolysis
Explain how zinc is extracted from zinc oxide by using carbon monoxide
ZnO + CO —> Zn + CO2
What does the final mixture contain? How is zinc extracted from this? (zinc extraction using CO)
Zinc and a slag of impurities
Separated by fractional distillation (907 degrees C)
What is zinc oxide dissolved in so it can be extracted by electrolysis? Why?
Dissolved in dilute sulfuric acid (sulfur dioxide made during roasting stage)
To reduce its melting point (1975 degrees C) (its also insoluble in water)
What is formed when the zinc oxide is dissolved in dilute sulfuric acid? Why?
Zinc sulfate - zinc oxide is a base so it neutralises the sulfuric acid giving a solution of zinc sulfate
What is the result fo the electrolysis of zinc sulfate?
half equation
Zinc is deposited at the cathode
Zn2+ + 2e- —> Zn (reduction)
Why is the method of electrolysis most commonly used to extract zinc?
- gives zinc of a very high purity
What other metals are found in zinc blende and what happens to them?
- calcium and lead appear as impurities in the zinc blende and these metals are recovered and sold too
What happens to the zinc deposited onto the cathode?
Scraped off the cathode and melted into bars to sell
4 uses of Al
overhead electricity cables (with a steel core for strength)
cooking foil and food cartons
drinks cans
coating CDs and DVDS
3 reasons why Al is used for overhead electricity cables
a good conductor of electricity (not as good as copper, but cheaper and much lighter);
ductile,
resists corrosion
3 reasons why Al is used for cooking foil and food cartons
non-toxic,
resistant to corrosion,
can be rolled into thin sheets
3 reasons why Al is used tor drink cans
light,
non-toxic,
resistant to corrosion
2 reasons why Al is used for coating CDs and DVDS
can be deposited as a thin film;
shiny surface reflects laser beam
2 uses of Cu
electrical wiring
saucepans and saucepan bases
2 reasons why Cu is used for electrical wiring
one of the best conductors of electricity,
ductile
4 reasons why Cu is used for saucepans and saucepan bases
malleable,
conducts heat well, unreactive,
tough
3 uses of zinc
protecting steel from rusting
coating or galvanising iron and steel
for torch batteries