Metals Flashcards
What are the two ways of extracting metals?
Reduction with carbon
Electrolysis
What is a metal ore?
A metal ore is a rock which contains enough metal to make it worthwhile extracting the metal from it
What is electrolysis?
Splitting with electricity
Metals higher than carbon in the reactivity can be extracted using carbon, true or false
False, they are more reactive than carbon so are extracted using electricity (electrolysis)
Why is electrolysis more expensive than reduction using carbon?
Because it uses a lot of energy
What is it called when an ore is heated in a furnace?
Smelting
What are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are often metal salt solutions made from the ore
What is bio leaching?
Bioleaching uses bacteria to separate copper from copper sulfide.
What is phytomining?
This involves growing plants in soil that contain copper. The plants can’t use or get rid of the copper so it gradually builds up in the leaves. The plants can be harvested, dried and burned in a furnace and then you can collect the copper from the ash
What are some advantages of mining metal ores?
Useful products can be made
Provides jobs
Brings money into the area
Why is mining ores bad for the environment?
Causes noise
Scarring of landscape
Loss of habitats
Deep mine hafts are dangerous
Why is recycling metals important?
Saves energy,
Fossil fuels are running out so it’s important to conserve them
Burning fossil fuels contributes to acid rain, global dimming and climate change
Saves money
Recycling conserves metal resources
Recycling metals cuts down the amount that gets sent to landfill, landfills take up space and pollute their surroundings
Are metals bad conductors?
No, they’re great conductors
Metals conduct electricity well? True or false
True
