Extraction of aluminium Flashcards
Why is aluminium better than steel
Higher strength
Lower density (Lighter)
How to extract aluminium
Aluminium cannot be extracted like other metals such as zinc because it is more reactive than carbon. Aluminium is extracted through electrolysis as bauxite (aluminium ore) is purified to aluminium oxide. It is then melted with cryolite, and a current is passed through so it can be electrolysed
What type of compound is aluminium oxide?
Ionic (metal and non metal)
What is a property of aluminium oxide
High melting point (2072 degrees) which makes it very expensive to melt,
Aluminium oxide chemical formula
Al2O3
What structure will aluminium oxide have
Giant lattice structure of positive and negative ions held together by electrostatic forces
Why is carbon dioxide formed
Oxygen, formed at the anode, reacts with graphite (A form of carbon) and makes CO2 . This makes the electrodes wear away and so will need replacing frequently (expensive)
