Topic 6 - Materials Flashcards
Reactivity series of metals
Potassium
Sodium
Calcium
Magnesium
Aluminium
Zinc
Iron
Tin
Lead
Copper
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Metals extracted by electrolysis
Potassium
Sodium
Calcium
Magnesium
Aluminium
Metals extracted by heating with carbon
Zinc
Iron
Tin
Lead
Copper
Uncombined elements
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Ore
An ore is a rock that contains enough of a metal compound to extract a metal for profit.
More reactive metals will react with other elements to form compounds in rocks.
Unreactive metals are found in the earths crust as the uncombined elements.
Form of reduction
Extraction
Form of oxidation
Corrosion
Oxidation
Gain of oxygen
Loss of electrons
Reduction
Loss of oxygen
Gain of electrons
Alternative biological extraction methods
• Phytoextraction
• Bioleaching
Bioleaching
• Bacteria brown on low grade ore
• Bacteria extract metal
Phytoextraction
• Plants are grown on soil containing metal ores, plants absorb metals.
• Burn the plants to get the metal from ash.
Disadvantages of biological methods of extraction
• Dependant on weather conditions
• Very slow
• Toxic substances released/leachate
Advantages of alternative methods of extraction
• No mining/damage
• Cheaper
Extraction
Process of obtaining a metal from a compound.
Recycling metals
When metals can be recycled by melting them down and making them into something new.
Advantages of recycling metals
• Saves energy, which reduces burning of fossil fuels which are running out and contribute to acid rain and climate change.
• As there is a finite amount of raw materials it conserves these resources.
• Extracting metals impacts the environment. Mines are damaging to the environment and destroy habitats. Recycling metals means we won’t need mines.