Metals and ores

Many chemical reactions used to extract metals from their ores involve the process of reduction and
oxidation.
Reduction: This involves the removal of oxygen atoms from a chemical
Oxidation: This involved the additional of oxygen atoms to a chemical.
Extraction of Aluminium Oxide
In electrolysis, electricity is used to split compounds. The anode is the positive electrode and the
cathode is the negative electrode. The electrolyte is the substance being broken down. The
electrolyte has to conduct electricity, so it needs to be molten for the ions to move freely. The
positive aluminium ions attracted to the cathode where they gain electrons to form aluminium
atoms. The negative oxide ions are attracted to the anode where they lose electrons to form
oxygen gas.
Al
3+
+ 3e
-
Al
2O
2-
O2 + 4e
-





Extraction of Iron Oxide
In the blast furnace, the raw materials used are: Iron ore, haematite, which is the source of iron.
Coke is the source of carbon; it acts as a fuel and burns, which forms carbon monoxide and carbon
dioxide. Limestone removes impurities and forms slag. Air, which is blasted through the furnace, is
the source of oxygen. Reactions that occur in the blast furnace are: the coke burns to form carbon
monoxide and carbon dioxide. The carbon and carbon monoxide reacts with the iron oxide,
forming iron (the iron oxide is reduced by the Carbon/Carbon Monoxide). Limestone decomposes,
forming lime. The products of this reaction are molten iron and slag.