4.4.1.3 Extraction of metals and reduction

ore

a rock containing enough metal to make it economic to extract the metal
Rocks rich in useful metals are called ores- gold ore, metal ore

native

unreactive metals, found as elements in nature

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is needed to extract these metals because their oxides cannot be reduced by carbon

ways of extraction from elements in the reactivity series

a more reactive element will push out (displace a less reactive element in its compound

Where are most metals found?

Earth’s Crust

What is panning?

physical separation of
native metals

Give three factors that make it economically viable to extract metal?

How easy it is to extract from its ore
How much metal the ore contains
The changing demands for a particular metal.

How are most metals extracted the earth?

Mining

Why is hydrogen not generally used to extract metals?

More expensive than carbon

Why is carbon used to extract metals?

Cheap and readily available

How do we extract metals above carbon in the reactivity series and why can’t we use carbon to extract them?

Electrolysis
Carbon is below them in the reactivity series (less reactive) so cannot displace them.

Explain how reduction by carbon works?

During the reaction, the metal in the ore is displaced fromits non-metal anion because carbon is more reactive thanthe metal.

Why don’t we generally use “reduction” to extract metals above carbon in the reactivity series and what is the only exception?

more expensive than electrolysis and is only
used on a commercial scale for the extraction of titanium.

Give two alternative names for carbon

) Coke and Charcoal

What is the equation for the reduction of tungsten? Why is carbon not used?

Carbon reacts with tungsten to form tungsten carbide.

metal oxide + carbon

metal oxide + carbon → metal + carbon dioxide

iron(III) oxide + carbon → iron + carbon dioxide

2Fe2O3(s) + 3C(s) → 4Fe(l) + 3CO2(g)

how is iron extracted

a large reaction vessel called a blat furnace

explain which chemicals are being oxidised and which are being reduced and which is not possible