extraction of metals

• reactivity

  A) react with water

  B) react with acids

  C) react with oxygen

  
• rocks which contain metals are known as ores
• gold and platinum are native metals which means they are found uncombined in the earths crust
• silver and mercury are extracted by heat alone, for oxides a glowing splint is used to test for oxygen gas
• in oxidation reactions electrons are lost
• in reduction reactions electrons are gained
• gold, platinum, silver and mercury can be extracted by heat alone
• copper, lead, tin, iron, and zinc are all extracted by heating with carbon monoxide or carbon
• aluminium, calcium, lithium, sodium, and potassium can all be extracted by electrolysis
• a d.c supply should be used as to help identify the products as the electrodes will have a permanent charge
• the negative ions go to the positive electrode and the positive ions go to the negative electrode
• electrolyte is a solution which contains ions that can conduct electricity