Extraction and uses of metal Flashcards
What is an ore?
rock that contains enough of the metal to make it worthwhile extracting
What is an Iron ore called?
Haematite
What is an aluminium ore called?
bauxite
How is metal extracted from an ore?
electrolysis or uses more reactive material
How is Potassium to Aluminium extracted?
Electrolysis of the molten chloride or oxide
How is Zinc to Copper extracted?
heating with a reducing agent such as carbon or carbon monoxide in a blast furnace
What is added into the top of a blast furnace?
Iron core, Coke (impure form of Carbon) and limestone
What happens in Zone 1 of the Furnace?
Coke burns in the hot air forming carbon dioxide. The reaction is exothermic so it gives off heat, heating the furnace
What happens in Zone 2 of the Furnace?
At the high temperatures in the furnace, more coke reacts with carbon dioxide forming carbon monoxide. Carbon dioxide has been reduced to carbon monoxide
What happens in Zone 3 of the Furnace?
Carbon monoxide reduces the iron(III) oxide in the iron ore to form iron. This will melt and collect at the bottom of the furnace, where it is tapped off
How are impurities removed from the furnace?
Limestone (calcium carbonate) is added to the furnace to remove acidic impurities in the ore. The calcium carbonate in the limestone thermally decomposes to form calcium oxide. Calcium oxide reacts with the silicon dioxide, which is an impurity in the iron ore, to form calcium silicate by neutralisation. Melts and collects as a molten slag floating on top of the molten iron, which is tapped off separately
How is Aluminium extracted?
Electrolysis
How is aluminium oxide achieved?
Purifying the Bauxite
What happens to the aluminium oxide
dissolved in molten cryolite as aluminium oxide has high melting point
In electrolysis reaction of Aluminium, what happens at the Cathode?
Aluminium ions gain electrons, Molten aluminium forms at the bottom of the cell, The molten aluminium is siphoned off from time to time and fresh aluminium oxide is added to the cell
In electrolysis reaction of Aluminium, what happens at the Anode?
Oxide ions lose electrons, Oxygen is produced at the anode
What happens to the carbon in the graphite?
reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide
What is the downside of electrolysis
very expensive
What is Aluminium used for?
Aircraft bodies, saucepans, Food cans
What is Copper used for?
Electrical Wiring, Water Pipes
What is iron used for?
Building material, Catalyst
What is an alloy?
Mixture of two or more metals or metal with non-metal
Why are alloys harder than pure metals?
Contain atoms of different sizes which distorts the regular arrangements of atoms so it is more difficult for the layers of atoms to slide over each other
What properties can alloys have that are different to metals they contain?
stronger and harder, resistant to corrosion or extreme temperatures
