Metals, Fertilisers and Nuclear Chemistry Flashcards
Where are most naturally-occurring metals found?
Inside rocks — called ores
Where are newer metals made?
Inside reactors.
Can Au make compounds and why?
No, because it is too unreactive.
Give examples of naturally occurring metals.
Gold (Au)
Silver (Ag)
Magnesium (Mg)
Give examples of metals that are not naturally occurring.
Copernicium (Cn)
Nihonium (Nh)
Flerovium (Fl)
What is a metallic bond?
A metallic bond is an electrostatic force of attraction between positive nuclei (ions) and delocalised electrons.
What is the structure of a metal?
A metallic lattice
Why are the electrons in a metal, delocalised?
The atoms are so close that the electrons are attracted to many ions, allowing them to move freely through the lattice.
Give some examples of metallic properties.
conductors of heat
conductors of electricity
malleable
high mpt/bpt
Why can metals conduct electricity?
Because of delocalised electrons moving through the lattice
What is the general equation of a metal reacting with oxygen?
metal + oxygen → metal oxide
Give examples of metal reacting with oxygen.
eg 1: 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO
eg 2: 4Al + 3O₂ → 2Al₂O₃
What is the general equation of a metal reacting with water?
metal + water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen
Give examples of metals reacting with water.
eg 1: 2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂
eg 2: Ca + 2H₂O → Ca²⁺(OH⁻⁻)₂ + H₂
What is the general equation of a metal reacting with acid?
metal + acid → salt + hydrogen
Give examples of a metal reacting with acid.
eg 1: Li + HCl → LiCl + H₂
eg 2: Zn + HNO₃ → Zn(NO₃)₂ + H₂
State the reactivity series (school metals).
K, Na, Li, Ca
Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Sn
Cu, Ag
Au
What are the three ways to separate metals from their compounds?
- electrolysis: for most reactive metals
- heat + CO/C: for metals in the middle of reactivity series
- heat: metals of low reactivity
Why does a DC supply need to be used for electrolysis?
Allows the products to be identified.
Give the equation for CuCl₂ being separated using electrolysis.
Cu²⁺(Cl⁻⁻)₂ → Cu + Cl₂
How do you know where to add electrons in an ion-electron equation?
To whichever side is more positive.
If electrons are added to the left in an ion-electron equation, what is that called?
Reduction.
If electrons are added to the right in an ion-electron equation, what is that called?
Oxidation.
Give the ion-electron equation for Al.
Al³⁺ + 3e⁻⁻ → Al
Give the ion-electron equation for oxygen (oxidation).
2O²⁻⁻ → O₂ + 4e⁻⁻
Which metals need electrolysis to be separated?
K, Na, Li, Ca, Mg, Al.
Which metals need heat + C(O) to be separated?
Zn, Fe, Sn, Pb, Cu.