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Applying heat to a metal compound such as potassium nitrate will cause it to decompose into potassium nitrite and
oxygen. This is a thermal decomposition reaction.
Anion:
Metal:
Nitrate (NO3)
Carbonate (CO3)
Hydroxide (OH)
Potassium
Sodium
Calcium
Magnesium
Aluminum
Zinc
Iron
Lead
Copper
Silver
Gold
NO DECOMPOSITION
Reactivity
Extract by electrolysis
carbon
zinc
iron
tin
lead
hydrogen
copper
silver
gold
platinum
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Extraction of Aluminum:
Aluminum exists naturally as aluminum oxide (alumina) in its ore, which is called bauxite. Because aluminum is a
very reactive metal, it holds on very tightly to the anion it bonds with, which is oxide in this case. This is why the best
way to extract and purify aluminum is by electrolysis in a cell like the one below.
In this cell, the electrodes are made of graphite (Carbon). The cathode is a layer at the bottom of the cell and the
anodes are bars dipped in the electrolyte. The electrolyte in this process is a molten mixture of aluminum oxide and
cryolite. Aluminum oxide by its self has a very high melting point of 2050oC which is higher than the melting point of
the steel container in which this process is done. That means the steel container will melt before the aluminum oxide.
This is why aluminum oxide is mixed with cryolite which decreases the melting point of it to under 1000oC, thus
saving a lot of money because heating is expensive and preventing the steel container from melting. Heat must be
continuously supplied to the mixture to keep it molten. Aluminum oxide does not conduct electricity when solid
because it does not have free mobile ions to carry the charge.
Aluminum oxide is purified from impurities of oxide by adding sodium hydroxide
Aluminum oxide is mixed with cryolite and put in the electrolysis cell
Heat is given in until the mixture becomes molten
Electrolysis start
Oxide ions get attracted to the anode and discharged (oxidation); 2O2-, 4e O2
Aluminum ions get attracted to the cathode and discharged and settle at the bottom
of the container (reduction); Al3+ + 3e Al
Oxygen gas evolves and is collected with waste gases
Aluminum is sucked out of the container at regular intervals
Oxygen gas which evolves reacts with carbon from the cathode forming CO2. The cathode gets worn away. To solve
this, the cathode is replaced at regular intervals. Heat supply is very expensive; this is why cryolite is used to
decrease the melting point of aluminum oxide and this process is done in plants which use hydroelectric energy
because it is cheap.
Uses of aluminum:
Construction of air-craft bodies because aluminum is very strong and very light and it is resistant to corrosion
Food containers because it is resistant to corrosion
Overhead power cables because it conducts electricity, is very light, malleable and ductile. Although it is
strengthened with steel core
Extraction of Iron:
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The ore of iron is called hematite. It consists of 60% iron in form of Iron oxide (Fe2O3) with other impurities such as
silicon
oxide (SiO2). This process takes place in a tower called a Blast furnace.
Substances
Pure Iron
Carbon dioxide
Air
Slag (Calcium silicate)
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There are many different forms of steel. Each has different components and properties and is used for different
purposes.
Steel
Composition
Properties
Uses
Mild Steel
99.5% Iron
0.5% Carbon
Car bodies
large structures
Machinery
Hard Steel
99% Iron
1% Carbon
Stainless Steel
87% Iron
13%
Manganese
Manganese
Steel
74% Iron
18% Chromium
8% Nickel
Tungsten Steel
95% Iron
5% Tungsten
Extraction of Zinc:
The ore of zinc is called zinc blende and it is made of zinc sulfide. Zinc is obtained from zinc sulfide by converting it
into zinc oxide then reducing it using coke, but first zinc sulfide must be concentrated.
Zinc sulfide from zinc blende is concentrated by a process called froth floatation. In this process, the ore is crushed
and put into tanks of water containing a frothing agent which makes the mixture froth up. Hot air is blown in and froth
starts to form. Rock impurities in the ore get soaked and sink to the bottom of the tank. Zinc sulfide particles cannot
be soaked by water; they are lifted by the bubbles of air up with the froth and are then skimmed off. This is now
concentrated zinc sulfide.
Then, zinc sulfide gets heated very strongly with hot air in a furnace. Zinc sulfide reacts with oxygen from the air to
produce zinc oxide and sulfur dioxide gas which escapes as waste gas.
ZnO + C Zn + CO
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Carbon monoxide produced is hot and is used to heat the furnace to reduce heating costs. The pure zinc produced is
collected and left to cool down. Zinc is used in many ways like the production of the alloy brass, galvanization and
making car batteries.
Uses of Zinc:
Making brass
Galvanizing
Extraction of Copper:
Copper is one of the most popular metals. Native copper occurs in some regions in the world. Otherwise, copper
exists in its ore, copper pyrites (2CuFeS2). You have studied before that copper can be purified by electrolysis. It can
also be extracted from it ore by converting pyrites into copper sulfide by reacting it with oxygen:
Uses of Copper:
In electrical wires because it is a perfect electrical conductor and very ductile, malleable and cheap
Making alloys such as bronze and brass
Cooking utensils because it conducts heat and it is has high melting and boiling points and also resists
corrosion
Electrodes because it is a good conductor of electricity
Water pipes because it is resistant to corrosion
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