Extraction of Metals & Reduction

• What is the process of gaining oxygen called?

  Oxidation
• What happens when magnesium combines with oxygen?

  It forms magnesium oxide through oxidation
• What is reduction in terms of oxygen?


  Loss of oxygen
• What occurs when magnesium oxide is broken down?

  Magnesium is reduced back from oxide
• Why do most metals oxidize when exposed to oxygen?

  They are fairly reactive with oxygen
• What is iron oxide commonly known as?

  Rust
• Why do unreactive metals like gold remain pure?

  They are too unreactive to oxidize
• What is the most common bonding element for metals?

  Oxygen
• What is the goal of reduction in metal extraction?

  To remove oxygen and obtain pure metal
• How can metal oxides be reduced to pure metals?

  By using carbon to remove oxygen
• What does carbon do in the reduction process?

  It takes oxygen from metal oxides
• What is the reaction of copper oxide with carbon?

  Copper plus carbon dioxide
• Why can't all metals be reduced with carbon?

  Only less reactive metals can be reduced
• What is the process called for extracting more reactive metals?

  Electrolysis
• What is a common ore of iron?

  Fe₂O₃
• How do we isolate pure iron from iron oxide?

  By reducing Fe₂O₃ with carbon
• What is the balanced equation for reducing Fe₂O₃ with carbon?

  Fe₂O₃ + C → Fe + CO₂
• What is required to reduce iron oxide with carbon?

  Supply of heat
• What happens to carbon during the reduction of metal oxides?

  Carbon is oxidized
• What is the relationship between reactivity and the method of extraction?

  More reactive metals require electrolysis
• How does the reactivity series influence metal extraction?

  It determines the method used for extraction