Electrolysis: extraction of metals

What are 3 ways metals can be extracted ?

* physically
* electrolysis
* smelting

What is smelting?

the extraction of metals using carbon

What do the conditions have to be for smelting?

* metal must be of medium reactivity
* Carbon must be more reactive than metal

What are the products of smelting?

Co2 (carbon dioxide) and metal

How can gold and silver be extracted?

Physically (panning)

What are the steps before extracting Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3)

* Purify Bauxite into Aluminium oxide
* Mix it with cryolite
* Melt

What is used to lower the melting point of Aluminium oxide?

Cryolite

From which ore is Aluminium oxide found?

Bauxite

Where do the Al3+ ions go and what happens to them?

* they go to the Cathode
* They gain three electrons (reduced)
* then become an neutral atom

Whats the equation at the anode?

2O2- → 02 + 4e-

Whats the equation at the cathode?

Al3+ + 3e- → Al

whats the overall equation?

2Al2o3 → 4Al +3O2

What will form at bottom of beaker during this electrolysis?

Molten aluminium metal