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Important Information on Metals

Metals are extracted from ores through reduction processes, with methods varying based on their reactivity. The extraction of iron involves multiple stages, including the reduction of carbon dioxide and the removal of impurities, resulting in pig iron that can be further purified. Corrosion of metals, such as aluminum and iron, occurs through oxidation, with aluminum forming a protective layer while iron rusts and deteriorates without adherence.

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14 views5 pages

Important Information on Metals

Metals are extracted from ores through reduction processes, with methods varying based on their reactivity. The extraction of iron involves multiple stages, including the reduction of carbon dioxide and the removal of impurities, resulting in pig iron that can be further purified. Corrosion of metals, such as aluminum and iron, occurs through oxidation, with aluminum forming a protective layer while iron rusts and deteriorates without adherence.

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n8nwryqy4b
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METALS

The extraction of Metals


 Compounds from which metals can be extracted are known as ORES. These include metal oxides, sulfides
and carbonates.
 Extraction of a metal from its ore is a reduction process (cations gains electrons)

Mn+ + ne- -----> M

 Method of extraction depends on the position of the metal in the reactivity series.
o Electrolysis, powerful method of reduction is used to extract metals high in the reactivity series eg
K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al,
o Heating the ore with a reducing agent such as Carbon-C, Carbon monoxide-CO, or Hydrogen-H
reduces metal ion lower down in the reactivity series eg. Zn and below
The following steps are involved in the extraction of iron from its ores:

3. At stage 2- more coke reduces the carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide:

CO2 (g) + C (s)-------> 2CO (g) ΔH +ve

Heat absorbed reduces the temperature to about 1100 oC.

7. Impurities in the ore, mainly silica (SiO2), also have to be removed. At temperatures above 850 oC
(between stage2 and 3) the limestone decomposes forming Calcium oxide and more carbon dioxide:

CaCO3 (s) ------> CaO (s) + CO2 (g)

The silica, being acidic, reacts with the basic calcium oxide to form molten calcium silicate or slag:

CaO (s) + SiO2 (s) ------> CaSiO3 (l)

The molten slag runs to the bottom of the furnace where it floats on the iron.

8. The slag and iron are tapped off separately:


o The iron, called pig iron or cast iron, is impure, containing about 4% carbon and other impurities,
e.g. sulphur and phosphorus. It is further purified by blowing air, enriched with oxygen, through it
to oxidize the impurities. This produces wrought iron, most of which is converted to steel by
adding calculated quantities of carbon and other substances.
o The slag is used for road building or as a fertilizer.
9. Waste gases (N2 from the air, H2, CO, CO2) are removed from the top of the furnace and burnt to heat air
blown in at the bottom-conservation.

In the extraction of iron it is possible to use carbon or hydrogen in place of carbon monoxide as reducing agents
to reduce the iron ore.
An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals.

Uses of metals and their Alloy

Alloys and their uses


Corrosion of Metals
Corrosion occurs when the surface of a solid, usually metal, is eaten away by the action of
oxygen, moisture and pollutants present in the atmosphere. When metals corrode, they are
initially converted (oxidized) into their oxides. Generally the higher a metal is in the reactivity
series, the more rapidly it corrodes. Also, metals that are used close to the sea will tend to
corrode at an even faster rate because of the presence of sodium chloride in the atmosphere.

Aluminium and Iron corrodes differently resulting in the corrosion of aluminium being beneficial
whereas that of iron is detrimental.

The corrosion of Aluminium

On exposure to air, a fresh piece of aluminium immediately forms a layer of aluminium oxide,
Al2O3. This layer adheres to the metal below and protects it against further corrosion.

Aluminium can also be made even more resistant to corrosion by anodizing. This is the process
by which the thickness of the oxide layer on the aluminium is artificially thickened by
electrolysis. This layer makes the surface harder and it readily absorbs dyes, hence it is used in
cookware(pots and pans)

The corrosion of Iron-Rusting

On exposure to oxygen and moisture in the air iron and steel corrode to form hydrated iron (III)
oxide,
Fe2O3. xH2O, which has an orange brown colour, commonly called rust.

In order for rusting to take place both oxygen and moisture must be present.

Unlike the adherent coating of aluminium oxide that forms on the surface of aluminium, rust does
not adhere to the iron below. Rust flakes off and exposes fresh iron to oxygen and moisture. The
newly exposed iron then rusts and process continues and gradually wears away the iron.
The Impact of metals on living systems and the environment-Importance and Harmful
effects

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