Separating Metals From Metal Oxides Flashcards
Chemical Changes (16 cards)
What is the process called when metals react with oxygen to form oxides?
Oxidation
This process results in the formation of metal oxides, which are often the ores from which metals are extracted.
What is the reaction that separates a metal from its oxide called?
Reduction reaction
This process involves removing oxygen from the metal oxide.
What is an ore?
A type of rock that contains metal compounds
Ores are the sources from which metals are extracted.
What does oxidation involve?
Gain of oxygen
This is a key concept in the process of forming metal oxides.
What does reduction involve?
Loss of oxygen
This is the process used to extract metals from their oxides.
Provide an example of oxidation.
Magnesium is oxidised to make magnesium oxide.
The reaction is represented as 2Mg + O2 > 2MgO.
Provide an example of reduction.
Copper oxide is reduced to copper.
The reaction is represented as 2CuO + C > 2Cu + CO2.
What is one method to extract metals from their ores?
Reduction using carbon
This method is effective for certain metals based on their position in the reactivity series.
What happens to the ore during reduction with carbon?
The ore is reduced as oxygen is removed
Carbon gains oxygen and is oxidised in the process.
What determines whether a metal can be extracted by reduction with carbon?
The position of the metal in the reactivity series
Metals higher than carbon must be extracted using electrolysis.
Which metals can be extracted using carbon?
- Metals below carbon in the reactivity series
- Examples include iron and copper
These metals can be reduced from their oxides using carbon.
What is the reaction for reducing iron(III) oxide with carbon?
Iron(III) oxide + carbon -> Iron + carbon dioxide
This reaction is a key step in the extraction of iron in a blast furnace.
What is the reactivity series?
A list that ranks metals based on their reactivity
This series helps determine the methods used for extracting different metals.
Which metals are extracted using electrolysis?
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
These metals are higher in the reactivity series and require more energy to extract.
What is unique about unreactive metals like gold?
They are found in the earth as the metal itself
Gold is often mined in its elemental form due to its low reactivity.
Fill in the blank: Carbon can only take the _______ away from metals that are less reactive than carbon itself.
Oxygen
This is why carbon is used for the reduction of certain metals.
