Section 5 - Pgs 66-69 Flashcards
Why are most metals found in ores?
They are reactive so they easily form compounds - they are the ores.
What is a metal ore?
A compound found in the Earth’s crust from which a metal can be extracted.
What determines how easily a metal is extracted from its ore?
The more reactive the metal, the harder it is to extract from a compound.
What is a common compound type for metal ores?
Oxides
What is the extraction of a metal from its oxide ore called?
Reduction
What is the name for the chemical used to extract a metal from its oxide ore?
The reducing agent
What determines the way in which a metal is extracted from its ore?
- If it is less reactive than carbon, it is heated with carbon to remove the oxygen
- If it is more reactive than carbon, electrolysis is used
Why must aluminium be extracted using electrolysis?
It is more reactive than carbon, so the carbon will not ‘steal’ the oxygen from the aluminium.
What is the formula for aluminium ore?
Al2O3
What is aluminium ore called?
Bauxite (Aluminium oxide)
What is the melting point of aluminium oxide?
Over 2000*C
What is cryolite used for in aluminium extraction and why?
It is used to dissolve the aluminium oxide in. This is because it has a lower melting point (about 900*C) so it saves energy.
What is cryolite?
Another more rare aluminium ore, which has a lower melting point than aluminium oxide.
By what process is aluminium extracted?
Electrolysis
What are the electrodes in electrolysis made from?
Graphite
What happens at the anode during the extraction of aluminium from aluminium oxide by electrolysis?
- O2- ions lose electrons to become O2 molecules
- These then react with the graphite anode to become CO2
What happens at the cathode during the extraction of aluminium from aluminium oxide by electrolysis?
- Al3+ ions gain electrons to become Al atoms
- These then sink to the bottom
Why does the anode need to be replaced frequently during the electrolysis of aluiminium oxide?
The oxygen formed there reacts with the carbon to form CO2, which is wears down the anode.
What type of reaction is the electrolysis of aluminium oxide?
Redox
What is the half-equation for the anode during the electrolysis of aluminium oxide?
2O2- -> O2 + 4e-
What is the half-equation for the cathode during the electrolysis of aluminium oxide?
Al3+ + 3e- -> Al
At which electrodes do oxidation and reduction happen during the electrolysis of aluminium oxide?
Oxidation: Anode
Reduction: Cathode
Give the word eqauation for the decomposition of aluminium oxide by electrolysis.
Aluminium oxide -> Aluminium + Oxygen
Why is electrolysis so expensive?
- It requires electricity
- Lots of heat needed to melt cryolite (900*C)
- Replacing anode