Global Challenges Flashcards
What is oxidation and reduction in terms of oxygen?
oxidation = gaining oxygen
reduction = losing oxygen
What is the easiest way to separate a metal from its oxide?
react it with carbon to form the metal and carbon dioxide
What can we not use carbon reduction with all metals?
you can only use it with metals that are less reactive than carbon
What other process separates metals from their oxides other than carbon reduction?
electrolysis`
Why do we find pure gold in the ground, but not pure iron?
gold is too unreactive to react with oxygen in the air, but iron is reactive enough and forms iron oxide
What is corrosion?
the process by which metals are slowly broken down by reacting with substances from their environment
What is the equation for rusting?
iron + oxygen + water —> hydrated iron (lll) oxide
what are the conditions required for rusting to take place?
water, iron and oxygen
What type of reaction is rusting?
redox
how can we investigate the conditions required for iron to rust?
set up 3 test tubes with a bung and an iron nail in each.
The first test tube should have water and no oxygen (water should be boiled to remove oxygen and a layer of oil on top to prevent air dissolving into water)
The second test tube should have just the nail and calcium chloride (to remove any water vapour from the air)
the last test tube should have enough water to keep the nail half wat submerged
Why doesn’t aluminium break down as it corrodes like iron does?
The aluminium oxide forms a protective layer, preventing further oxidation
What are the 2 types of methods we can use to protect iron from rusting?
barrier methods and sacrificial methods
What do barrier methods do?
prevent oxygen and water from touching the iron
What do sacrificial methods do?
a more reactive metal is added to the iron, so that metal reacts instead of the iron
what are 3 main barrier methods?
paint
oil or grease
electroplating
What is electroplating?
using electrolysis to cover the iron with a thin layer of another metal
What is an example of protection that uses both barrier and sacrificial methods?
galvanising
What is galvanising?
coating an object in a thin layer of zinc
What is the Haber process?
the industrial production of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen
What is the ammonia used for in the Haber process?
to create nitrogen based fertilisers
How does the Haber process work?
1) input the nitrogen and hydrogen into the reacting vessel
2) Some of the nitrogen and hydrogen react to form ammonia
3) The mixture passes into the condenser and the ammonia cools down to liquid ammonia (it has a low boiling point) whilst the hydrogen and nitrogen stay gaseous
4) the liquid ammonia is collected and the nitrogen and hydrogen are recycled
What are the conditions inside the reacting vessel?
450 C
200 atm
iron catalyst
Why does the Haber process take place at 450 C and 200 atm?
as the reaction exothermic, a lower temp. favours the forward reaction and higher % yield, but to achieve a higher rate of reaction, more temp is needed. 450 C is selected as a compromise. A higher temperature is too expensive as well
Higher pressure will increase rate of reaction and push equilibrium to the right, increasing % yield. High pressure is very expensive and can be dangerous, so 200 atm is a compromise
Is the Haber process an exothermic or endothermic reaction?
exothermic
Which metal acts as a catalyst for the Haber process?
iron
Where do we get the nitrogen required for the Haber process from?
take it from the air
Where do we get the hydrogen required for the Haber process from?
make it from hydrocarbons
What is a fertiliser?
a substance that is applied to soil, in order to supply plants with nutrients.
What is a formulation?
a mixture that has been designed as a useful product. e.g. paint, fertiliser etc.
What does NPK stand for in NPK fertilisers?
nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K)
What are the 3 main elements that plant need from soils?
nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium