Obtaining and Using Metals

Below are links for Topic 4:

Ores

Metal Extraction PCA

Oxidation and Reduction

Recycling Metals

Properties of Metals

Alloys

What you should know:

• 4.1 Know that:
  • a) most metals are extracted from ores found in the Earth’s crust
  • b) unreactive metals are found in the Earth as the uncombined elements
• 4.2 Be able to describe how most metals are extracted from their ores by:
  • a) heating with carbon, illustrated by iron
  • b) electrolysis, illustrated by aluminium
  • (note that knowledge of the blast furnace or the electrolytic cell for aluminium extraction are not required)
• 4.3 Be able to explain why the method used to extract a metal is related to its position in the reactivity series and cost of the extraction process.
• 4.4 Revise any practical investigation you did into methods for extracting a metal from its ore.
• 4.5 Be able to recognise and describe oxidation as the gain of oxygen and reduction as the loss of oxygen.
• 4.6 Know that the extraction of metals involves reduction of ores.
• 4.7 Know that the oxidation of metals results in corrosion.
• 4.8 Be able to demonstrate an understanding that a metal’s resistance to oxidation is related to its position in the reactivity series.
• 4.9 Be able to discuss the advantages of recycling metals, including economic implications, and how recycling preserves both the environment and the supply of valuable raw materials.
• 4.10 Be able to describe the uses of metals in relation to their properties, including:
  • a) aluminium
  • b) copper
  • c) gold
  • d) steel
• 4.11 Using models-diagrams be able to explain why converting pure metals into alloys often increases the strength of the product
• 4.12 Know and understand that iron is alloyed with other metals to produce alloy steels with a higher strength and a greater resistance to corrosion.
• 4.13 HT only: Be able to describe how alloying changes the properties of metals, including:
  • a) smart or shape memory alloys, including nitinol, an alloy of nickel and titanium
  • b) gold alloys with higher strength, including fineness (parts per thousand) and carats to indicate the proportion of pure gold.
• 4.14 HT only: Be able to demonstrate an understanding that new materials are developed by chemists to fit new applications, such as the creation of new shape memory alloys for use, for example, in spectacle frames and as stents in damaged blood vessels.