Reactivity And Extracting Metals Flashcards
What is the reactivity series?
It is a table that lists metals in order of reactivity: Most reactive and least resistant to oxidation Potassium K. P Sodium Na. S Calcium Ca. C Magnesium Mg. M Aluminium Al. A Carbon C. C Zinc Zn. Z Iron Fe. I Hydrogen H. H Copper Cu. C Silver Ag. S Gold Au. G Least reactive and most resistant to oxidation
How do you find about the metals reactivity when reacted with acid?
You place metals in dilute hydrochloric acid, the quicker the reaction is the more reactive the metal is and vice versa. Also the more hydrogen produced, the more reactive it is.
What is displacement?
It is a redox experiment, where oxidation and reduction happen simultaneously. It is a reaction where a more reactive element reacts to take the place of a less reactive element in a compound. E.g.:
Ca + ZnSO4 –> CaSO4 + Zn
What is an ore?
A metal ore is a rock that contains enough metal to make it economically worthwhile extracting metal from it. In many cases the ore is an oxide of the metal.
How can metals be extracted?
Metals can either be extracted by reduction using carbon or electrolysis. Metals above carbon in the reactivity series have to be extracted by electrolysis. Metals below carbon in the reactivity series have to be extracted by reduction using carbon. The only exception is gold.
Cost applied to the extraction methods
Electrolysis> electricity is very expensive
Reduction with carbon> much cheaper as it acts as a fuel
What are biological ways of extracting metals?
Bioleaching: this uses bacteria to separate from ores, the bacteria gain energy from the waste that is currently produced when metals are extracted.
Phytoextraction: this involves growing plants in soil containing metal compounds. The plants can’t use or get rid of the metals so they build up in the leaves. The plants can be harvested, dried and burned. The ash contains metal compounds from which the metal can be extracted.
