Extraction of metals by reduction
I can explain how carbon can extract some metals from metal oxides by heating.
- Year 11
- Edexcel
Extraction of metals by reduction
I can explain how carbon can extract some metals from metal oxides by heating.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Unreactive metals are often found in the earth as pure metal.
- Metals that are less reactive than carbon can be extracted by heating their oxides with carbon.
- A metal oxide is said to be reduced by carbon because the metal oxide loses oxygen.
- Carbon is oxidised when it reacts with a metal oxide because it gains oxygen to form carbon dioxide.
Keywords
Metal oxide - A metal oxide is a compound containing metal and oxygen atoms chemically bonded together.
Oxidation - Oxidation is a type of reaction in which a substance gains oxygen or loses electrons.
Reduction - Reduction is a type of reaction in which a substance loses oxygen or gains electrons.
Ore - An ore is a rock that contains metals or metal compounds. Metal can be extracted from its ore.
Redox reaction - A redox reaction is a reaction where both reduction and oxidation occur.
Common misconception
Thinking that oxidation and reduction are only to do with the loss and gain of oxygen.
Oxidation is the loss of electrons or the gain of oxygen. Reduction is the gain of electrons or loss of oxygen.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Where are more reactive metals positioned on the reactivity series?
Q2.What is the product of a reaction between sodium and oxygen?
Q3.What is scientific term for a rock that contains metals or metal compounds from which we can extract metal?
Q4.Which of the following statements about the position of metals in the reactivity series are correct?
Q5.Which substance has been oxidised in the following reaction?
Magnesium + iron oxide → magnesium oxide + iron.
Q6.Which substance has been reduced in this reaction?
Magnesium + iron oxide → magnesium oxide + iron.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the name for a type of reaction in which a substance loses oxygen or gains electrons?
Q2.Which of the following methods can we use to extract platinum?
Q3.Which statements about the following reaction are correct?
Zinc oxide + carbon → carbon dioxide + zinc.
Q4.In the following reaction, which substance has been oxidised and which substance has been reduced?
Lithium + copper oxide → lithium oxide and copper.
Q5.How can aluminium be extracted from aluminium compounds in an alumumium ore?
Q6.Why can we extract zinc from zinc ore by heating with carbon, but not to extract magnesium from magnesium ore?
