Separating metals from Metal oxides

• Are most metals found in the earth as pure lumps?


  No, most metals are not found as pure lumps.
• What does it mean to extract metals from a compound?


  It means separating metals from their metal oxides, which requires more work.
• Why do metals often have to be separated from their oxides?


  • Common metals like iron and aluminium react with oxygen.
  • They form metal oxides that need to be processed to obtain pure metals.
• Are most metals found in the earth as pure lumps?


  No, most metals are not found as pure lumps.
• What does it mean to extract metals from a compound?


  It means more work is required to obtain the metal.
• What is the process called when metals react with oxygen to form oxides?

  Oxidation
• What is a reduction reaction?


  A reaction that separates a metal from its oxide.
• What is an ore?


  An ore is a type of rock that contains metal compounds.
• What is the relationship between oxidation and reduction in metal extraction?

  • Oxidation: Gain of oxygen
  • Reduction: Loss of oxygen
• What happens to magnesium during the oxidation process?

  Magnesium is oxidised to make magnesium oxide.
• What is the chemical equation for the oxidation of magnesium?

  $2Mg +$$O_2 \rightarrow 2MgO$
• What happens to copper oxide during the reduction process?


  Copper oxide is reduced to copper.
• What does OIL RIG stand for in the context of oxidation and reduction?


  Oxidation is gaining oxygen, and reduction is loss of oxygen
• Why do most metals oxidize when exposed to oxygen?


  Because they are reactive and form metal oxides
• What is the chemical reaction for the oxidation of iron?


  $4Fe +$$3O_2 \rightarrow 2Fe_2O_3$
• What is the product of the oxidation of iron?

  Iron oxide (rust)
• What is an exception to the rule that metals oxidize when exposed to oxygen?


  Unreactive metals like gold do not oxidize
• What is the cheapest and easiest method to separate metals from metal oxides?

  Direct reduction of metal oxides with carbon
• What is the chemical reaction for the reduction of copper oxide using carbon?


  $2CuO +$$C \rightarrow 2Cu +$$CO_2$
• What is the role of carbon in the reduction of copper oxide?


  Carbon is oxidized while copper oxide is reduced
• What is a limitation of using carbon to reduce metal oxides?


  It only works with metals less reactive than carbon
• What is required from the metal to form carbon dioxide during reduction?


  Oxygen from the metal is required
• Why is the process of reducing more reactive metals more expensive?


  Because it requires electrolysis, which consumes a lot of energy
• What are iron ores?


  Metal-rich compounds like Fe₂O₃
• What is the chemical reaction to reduce iron oxide to iron using carbon?


  $2Fe_2O_3 +$$3C \rightarrow 4Fe +$$3CO_2$