Edexcel GCSE Chemistry - Topic 4: Extracting Metals and Equilibria

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the extraction of metals and their reactivity, essential for understanding GCSE Chemistry.

Reactivity Series

A list of metals arranged in order of their reactivity with water and acids.

Oxidation

The gain of oxygen or the loss of electrons.

Reduction

The loss of oxygen or the gain of electrons.

Displacement Reactions

Reactions where a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from its compound.

Phytoextraction

A biological method of metal extraction using plants that absorb metal compounds from the soil.

Bacterial Extraction

A method where bacteria absorb metal compounds and produce leachates containing metals.

Hydroxide Products

The products formed when a reactive metal reacts with water, resulting in a metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

Electrolysis

A method used to extract metals that are more reactive than carbon, involving an electric current to break down compounds.

Aluminium Extraction

Aluminium is extracted by electrolysis of molten aluminium oxide mixed with cryolite.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

An evaluation of the environmental impact of a product throughout its lifetime, from raw material extraction to disposal.

Recycling of Metals

The process of reusing waste metals which requires less energy and helps preserve the environment and raw material supplies.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when a metal loses electrons.

Transition Metals

Metals that are often good conductors of heat and electricity, typically found in the middle of the reactivity series.