Extracting Metals and Equilibria Flashcards
What is Oxidation?
The gain of oxygen by an element or compound
What is Reduction?
The loss of oxygen from a compound
What is the Reactivity Series?
A list of metals that are arranged in order of how reactive they are
Metal + Acid =
Salt + Hydrogen
What is the test for Hydrogen?
The Squeaky Pop Test / Burning Splint Test
Metal + Water =
Metal Hydroxide + Hydrogen
What is a Redox Reaction?
A reaction where reduction and oxidation happen at the same time
What are Displacement Reactions?
A type of Redox reaction where a more reactive element reacts to take the place of a less reactive element ina. compound
e.g The more reactive metal is oxidised and the less reactive is reduced
Which metal ores can be extracted with carbon?
Any metals that are less reactive than it as they can be extracted via reduction with carbon
How would you extract metals which are higher than carbon in the reactivity series?
Electrolysis
But it is expensive
How does extraction of a metal with electrolysis work?
The metal ore is melted and then an electric current is passed through it. The metal is then discharged at the cathode and the non-metal at the anode. The metal ore would’ve been dissolved to make a solution firstly though.
Alternative methods of extracting metals are:
- Bioleaching
- Phytoextraction
What is Bioleaching?
Using bacteria to extract metals. The bacteria convert the metal compounds in the ore into soluble compounds, seperating out the metal. The leachate contains metal ions which can be extracted via electrolysis or displacement.
But, it takes a long time
What is Phytoextraction?
Growing plants in soil that has metal compounds so the metal gradually builds up in the leaves. The plants can then be harvested, dried and burned in a furnace to get the metal compounds, which can be extracted by electrolysis ordisplacement.
But, it takes a long time
What is a Reversible Reaction?
Where the products of the reaction can react themselves to produce the original reactants
What is Dynamic Equilibrium?
A point in a closed system that is reached by a reversible reaction when the reactants and products are at a balance
What things can change the position of equilibrium?
- Temperature
- Pressure
- Concentration of reactants or products
What is Le Chatelier’s principle?
The idea that if you change the conditions of a reversible reaction at equilibrium, that the system will try to counteract that change
