getting metals from rocks

Question 1

what is an ore?

Answer 1

a rock containing enough of the desired metal to be worth while extracting.

Question 2

what are the two ways metals can be extracted?

Answer 2

1. reduction by carbon

2. electolysis

Question 3

how can metals be extracted using carbon?

Answer 3

if the metal is lower down on the reactivity series than carbon then carbon can take the oxygen away.

Question 4

what is electrolysis?

Answer 4

the breaking down of a substance using electricity

Question 5

when is electrolysis used?

Answer 5

• if metals are more reactive than carbon they need to be extracted using electrolysis.
• purifying copper

Question 6

give an example of a metal that needs to be extracted by electrolysis.

Answer 6

aluminium potassium calcium magnesium sodium

Question 7

disadvantages of electrolysis?

Answer 7

high temperature are needed so it:

• is an expensive process
• requires a lot of energy

Question 8

what is the method/process of electrolysis?

Answer 8

a liquid required to conduct the electricity called the electrolyte.
electrolytes are often metal salt solutions
the electrolyte has free ions-these conduct the electricity