extraction and uses of metals

• • The Earth’s crust contains metals and metal compounds such as gold, iron oxide and aluminium oxide
• • Reactive metals are often found chemically combined with other elements
  • This is called ores
  • Common examples of ores are haematite (iron ores) and bauxite (aluminium ores)
• • Unreactive metals are often found pure, as they are not chemically reactive
  • They do not have to be extracted chemically 
  • This occurs as they do not easily react with other substances due to their chemical stability
  • Examples include gold and platinum
• METHOD OF EXTRACTION

  • The method of extraction of a metal depends on its position in the reactivity series
  • If the metals are more reactive than carbon:
  • They have to be extracted using electrolysis
  • As they are too reactive and cannot be reduced by carbon
  • If the metals are less reactive than carbon:
  • They can be extracted by heating with carbon which reduces them
• EXTRACTION OF IRON

  • Iron is below carbon in the reactivity series
  • Heating with carbon would be more appropriate to extract iron from iron ore
  • It is a cheap process as carbon is cheap and can be source of heat as well
• EXTRACTION OF ALUMINUIM

  • Aluminium is more reactive than carbon according to the reactivity series
  • Electrolysis should be used to extract aluminium from aluminium ore
  • Large amount of electricity required, so it is a relatively expensive process