Separating Metals from Metal Oxides

• What is an oxidation reaction (in terms of oxygen)?

  An oxidation reaction refers to a substance reacting with oxygen. For example, copper is oxidised to form copper oxide.
• what does a metal form when it is oxidised (with oxygen)?


  Metal oxide
• What is a reduction reaction (in terms of oxygen)?


  A reduction reaction refers to a substance, losing oxygen. For example, copper oxide is reduced to form copper
• When mined from the ground, what form are metals normally found in?


  They are usually bonded to other elements, most often oxygen. We usually refer to these oxidised metals as ‘ores’. E.g. Iron oxide may be called ‘iron ore ‘and copper oxide may be called ‘copper ore’
• what are the two ways that metals can be extracted from their ores?


  1. Reduction with carbon
  2. Electrolysis
• which metals can be reduced with carbon?


  1. Zinc
  2. Iron
  3. Copper
• Describe how metal ores can be reduced using carbon


  1. React the metal ore with carbon
  2. Carbon will displace the metal as it is more reactive
• what is the symbol equation for the reduction of FeO with carbon?


  2FeO + C -> 2Fe + CO2
• why do some metals not require extraction?


  some metals are so unreactive that they exist in the Earth as pure metals (not bonded to any other element) E.g. gold