Extracting Metals

Question 1

What is a metal ore?

Answer 1

A rock containing enough metal to make it worthwhile extracting

Question 2

What are the two methods of extracting metal?

Answer 2

Reduction

Electrolysis

Question 3

What metals are extracted by electrolysis?

Answer 3

Any above carbon

Question 4

How are metals between carbon and hydrogen extracted?

Answer 4

Carbon reduction (blast furnace)

Question 5

Why is copper extracted by electrolysis?

Answer 5

To get the copper really pure

Question 6

What metals aren’t extracted?

Answer 6

Silver gold and platinum

They are found native

Question 7

What is a disadvantage of electrolysis?

Answer 7

Requires a lot of energy

Question 8

What is an advantage of electrolysis?

Answer 8

You get a pure product

Question 9

Where is the pure metal formed in electrolysis?

Answer 9

At the negative electrode (cathode)

Question 10

How do metals more reactive than carbon have to be extracted?

Answer 10

Using electrolysis of molten compounds

Question 11

Why is electrolysis expensive?

Answer 11

The heat require to melt the metal oxide used a lot of energy

Question 12

How is electrolysis used to get copper?

Answer 12

Electrons are pulled off copper atoms at anode becoming Cu2+ ions, when they’re near the cathode they gain electrons and become copper atoms

Question 13

What is the liquid for electrolysis called?

Answer 13

Electrolyte

Question 14

How does the electrolyte conduct electricity?

Answer 14

Electrolyte has free ions which conduct electricity

Question 15

Explain the process of bioleaching

Answer 15

Bacteria gets energy from bond between sulfur and copper and separates copper from ore in the process

Question 16

How do we get the copper from bioleaching?

Answer 16

Once the copper has been extracted from its ore solution called leachate is left and it contains copper which is obtained through filtering

Question 17

What is phytomining used for?

Answer 17

Extract copper from low grade ores (low % of carbon)

Question 18

Explain the process of phytomining

Answer 18

Plants in ground absorb copper from soil
Plants harvested and burned
Ashes contain copper
Electrolysis used to extract

Question 19

Give an advantage of phytomining and bioleaching

Answer 19

Cheap

Easy

Question 20

Give a disadvantage of extracting copper by phytomining or bioleaching

Answer 20

Takes ages

Doesn’t give much copper

Question 21

How is copper extracted by reduction with carbon?

Answer 21

It’s heated in a furnace (otherwise know as smelting)

Question 22

Why don’t we extract copper by carbon reduction?

Answer 22

Copper produced is very impure
Impure copper doesn’t conduct electricity
Copper is used to make electrical wiring

Question 23

Why is metal extraction good for the environment?

Answer 23

Useful products can be made
Provides jobs
Bring money to area (can afford transport and healthcare)

Question 24

Why can metal extraction be bad for the environment?

Answer 24

Creates a lot of noise
Ruins landscape
Loss of habitats
Deep mine shafts can be dangerous

Question 25

Why is it important to recycle metals?

Answer 25

Cuts down rubbish sent to landfill 
Finite amount of metal in earth 
Requires very little energy 
Fossil fuels used for energy to extract metals are running out 
Energy from fossil fuels isn't cheap