Methods Of Extracting Metals Flashcards
What are ores?
Naturally occurring rocks that contain metal or metal compounds in sufficient amounts to make it worthwhile extracting them.
What are most everyday metals?
Mixtures called alloys.
What does the Earth’s crust contain?
Metals and metal compounds such as gold, iron oxide and aluminium oxide, but when found in the Earth they are often mixed with other substances.
What is a metal ore?
A rock containing a metal or a metal compound, in high enough concentration to make it economic to extract the metal.
How are metals produced?
When metal oxides are reduced (have their oxygen removed). The reduction method depends on the reactivity of the metals.
How are aluminium and other reactive metals extracted?
By electrolysis.
How are iron and less reactive metals extracted?
By reaction with carbon or carbon monoxide.
Which five metals are extracted by electrolysis?
Potassium Sodium Calcium Magnesium Aluminium
What does the method of extraction of a metal from its ore depend on?
The metals position in the reactivity series.
Why is gold found as the native metal and not a compound?
It is so unreactive. It does not need to be chemically extracted from its ore.
