4.2.5

Extraction of Metals

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Extraction of Metals

Most metals are only found as compounds because the metal has reacted with other elements in the past. Because of this, the metal has to be extracted from the ore (rock) where the metal compound is found.

Illustrative background for Why is carbon used to extract metals?Illustrative background for Why is carbon used to extract metals? ?? "content

Why is carbon used to extract metals?

  • Reducing a metal with carbon will result in the extraction of the metal if the metal is lower in the reactivity series than carbon.
  • Carbon is used because it is cheap and abundant.
Illustrative background for How is carbon used to extract metals?Illustrative background for How is carbon used to extract metals? ?? "content

How is carbon used to extract metals?

  • In the reduction, the metal oxide loses oxygen to form a pure metal.
  • Reduction with carbon normally involves heating the metal oxide in the presence of the carbon, which is often used in the form of coal.

Jump to other topics

1Atomic Structure

2Chemical Bonding

3Quantitative Chemistry

4Chemical Changes

5Energy Changes

6The Rate & Extent of Chemical Change

7Organic Chemistry

8Chemical Analysis

9Chemistry of the Atmosphere

10Using Resources

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