Extracting Metals Using Carbon

Question 1

what is a metal ore

Answer 1

• a rock which contains enough metal

- to make it economically worthwhile extracting the metal from it

Question 2

what is the ore in many cases

Answer 2

an oxide of the metal that wants to be extracted

Question 3

what is the main aluminium ore called and what s it composed of

Answer 3

• it is called bauxite

- it is aluminium oxide (Al3O3)

Question 4

where are most of the ores that we use found in

Answer 4

the earths crust

Question 5

how do we get the ores from the earths crust

Answer 5

• they are mined

- then the metals can be extracted from the ores

Question 6

how are gold and platinum found in the earths crust as and why

Answer 6

• they are found as uncombined elements

- because they are uncreactive

Question 7

what is the difference between how ores and unreactive metals that are mined and processed

Answer 7

• ores are mined from the ground ans have to the metal extracted
• whereas unreactive metals dont need to have anything extracted from them as they are in the form of uncombined elements
• but they will need to be refined before they are used

Question 8

how can a metal be extracted from its ore chemically

Answer 8

by reduction using carbon

Question 9

what is removed from an ore when it is reduced and what is an example of this

Answer 9

• oxygen
• iron oxide + carbon = iron + carbon dioxide
• 2Fe2O3 + 3C = 4Fe + 3CO2

Question 10

what are the products of a reduction reaction between a metal ore and carbon usually meant to be

Answer 10

• the metal is produced or extracted during the reaction
• but rather than just carbon dioxide being the other product
• carbon monoxide can also be produced along with it or on is own

Question 11

what does the position of a metal in the reactivity series determine regarding carbon

Answer 11

whether it can be extracted by reduction using carbon

Question 12

what are metals that are higher than carbon in the reactivity series have to be extracted with

Answer 12

• electrolysis

- which is expensive

Question 13

what are metals that are below carbon in the reactivity series extracted with

Answer 13

• carbon

- for example, iron oxide is reduced in a blast furnace to make iron

Question 14

why does the reaction between a metal oxide, with the metal being less reactive than carbon, specifically result in the reduction of oxygen from the metal

Answer 14

• because the carbon can only take away the oxygen atoms from the ore
• if the metal is less reactive than itself
• similar to a displacement reaction

Question 15

what are the metals in the reactivity series that are more reactive than carbon, starting from the metal closest to carbon

Answer 15

• aluminium
• magnesium
• calcium
• sodium
• potassium

Question 16

what are the metals in the reactivity series that are less reactive than carbon, starting from the metal closest to carbon

Answer 16

• zinc
• iron
• tin
• copper
• silver
• gold