Chemistry In Society: Metals

Question 1

What is metallic bonding?

Answer 1

Metallic bonding is the electrostatic force of attraction between positively charged ions and
delocalised electrons.

Question 2

What product do you get when you react a metal with oxygen?

Answer 2

A metal oxide

Question 3

What product do you get when you react a metal with water?

Answer 3

A metal hydroxide + hydrogen

Question 4

What product do you get when you react a metal with a dilute acid?

Answer 4

Salt + hydrogen

Question 5

What is a reduction?

Answer 5

The gain of electrons by a reactant in any reaction

Question 6

What is an oxidation?

Answer 6

The loss of electrons by a reactant in any reaction

Question 7

What is a redox reaction?

Answer 7

In a redox reaction, reduction and oxidation take place at the same time.

Question 8

What happens during the extraction of a metal?

Answer 8

A metal ion is reduced forming a metal atom

Question 9

For what metals can heat alone be enough to extract?

Answer 9

Silver, gold and mercury

Question 10

For what metals is heat with carbon needed to extract?

Answer 10

Copper, lead, tin, iron and zinc

Question 11

For what metals is electrolysis required to extract?

Answer 11

More reactive metals (including aluminium)

Question 12

What is electrolysis?

Answer 12

Decomposition of an ionic compound into its elements using electricity.

Question 13

What power supply must be used during electrolysis?

Answer 13

A d.c power supply

Question 14

What is an electrolyte?

Answer 14

Electrically conducting solutions containing ions

Question 15

What is the purpose of an ion bridge?

Answer 15

An ‘ion bridge’ (salt bridge) can be used to link the half-cells. Ions can move across the bridge to complete an electrical circuit.

Question 16

Which way do electrons flow in an electrochemical cell?

Answer 16

Electrons flow from the element higher in the electrochemical series to the element lower in the electrochemical series.

Question 17

What are 3 methods of extracting metals from ores?

Answer 17

Heat only, heat with carbon and electrolysis

Question 18

Why is a D.C power supply used in electrolysis?

Answer 18

To allow the products to form at separate electrodes and therefore be identified.

Question 19

What happens to the voltage in an electrochemical cell when metals are further apart in the electrochemical series?

Answer 19

The voltage becomes higher