Extracting Metals Flashcards
What is an ore?
A naturally occurring metal compound
What metals can be extracted by heat alone?
Mercury and silver
What metal is found uncombined?
Gold
What metals can be extracted by heat and carbon?
Copper to zinc
What is the equation for extraction by heat alone?
Metal Oxide (Ore) -> Metal + Oxygen
What is the equation for the extraction of metals by heating with carbon?
Metal Oxide + Carbon -> Metal + Carbon Dioxide
What metals can be extracted by electrolysis?
Aluminium to Lithium
What is electrolysis?
The splitting apart of a compound using electricity
What happens during electrolysis?
When electricity is passed through the molten metal ore, the positive metal ions are attracted to the negative electrode where they gain electrons, producing metal atoms
What type of reaction happens when a metal is extracted from its ore?
A reduction reaction
What is a reducing agent?
A substance added into a chemical reaction to help remove the oxygen.
What are two of the common reducing agents?
Carbon and Carbon Monoxide
