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Extraction of Metals
Extraction of Metals
metals
Only some unreactive metals such
as silver, gold and platinum can
occur freely in nature. Most metals
react with other elements to form
ores.
Major steps in extraction of metal
Ore concentration
– Ore is purified and concentrated, unwanted
rocks removed
Reduction to crude metal
– Metal oxides to be reduced to metals, resulting
in a mixture of metals collected
Refining to obtain pure metal
– To obtain a specific metal, purify and remove
unwanted metal impurities
the extraction of metals
Method of extraction depends on the position of the metal in
the reactivity series.
extraction of metal involves:
o getting rid of the unwanted rock to obtain concentrated
form of the mineral
o obtaining pure metal from the mineral by chemical
reactions
the extraction of metals
Metals at the top of the reactivity series are very reactive:
bonds in their compounds are very strong
must be extracted by decomposing their compounds with
electricity in an expensive process called electrolysis
aluminium is extracted from aluminium oxide by passing an
electric current through it
– carbon, C
Hot air
– for the O2 in it
Limestone
Easy to shape
Alloys
Have different physical properties
compared to their constituent
elements
Produce mainly for:
– Carbon electrodes
http://www.patana.ac.th/parents/curriculum/C
Extraction of Aluminium
Cryolite is added to lower the melting
point & to dissolve the ore & bauxite
ore of aluminium oxide is
continuously added
When p.d is applied,
Presence of sodium
chloride/acidic pollutants
speed up rusting
4Fe(s)
Rusting + 3O
is an 2(g) +
exothermic
redox reaction where iron
2xH2to
is oxidized O(l)
form
hydrated iron(III) oxide
2Fe2O3.xH2O (s)
Prevention of rusting
Use of protective layer
Painting – Used in cars, ships,
bridges
Greasing – Tools & machine parts
Zinc plating(Galvanising) – Zinc
roofs
Tin plating – Food cans
Creates barrier around the metal
preventing contact with oxygen
and water
Sacrificial protection
More reactive metal, eg, Magnesium
or zinc is attached to iron or steel
Protects by sacrificing itself, corrodes
first since it is more reactive
Iron will not rust in the presence of a
more reactive metal
Used in underground pipes, ships,
steel piers
Alloying
Addition of nickel and chromium to
iron
Chromium (III) oxide Cr2O3 on the
Saves costs