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Chemistry

  • IGCSE Edexcel
  • Revision Notes

2. Inorganic Chemistry

2.1 Group 1 (Alkali Metals) – Lithium, Sodium and Potassium>2.2 Group 7 (Halogens) – Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine>2.3 Gases in the Atmosphere>2.4 Reactivity Series>2.5 Extraction and Uses of Metals>2.6 Acids, Alkalis and Titrations>2.7 Acids, Bases and Salt Preparations>2.8 Chemical Tests>

1.2 Elements, Compounds & Mixtures >1.3 Atomic Structure >1.4 The Periodic Table >1.5 Chemical Formulae, Equations and Calculations >1.6 Ionic Bonding >1.7 Covalent Bonding >1.8 Metallic Bonding >1.9 Electrolysis >

3.1 Energetics >3.2 Rates of Reaction >3.3 Reversible Reactions and Equilibria >

4.1 Introduction >4.2 Crude Oil >4.3 Alkanes >4.4 Alkenes >4.5 Alcohols >4.6 Carboxylic Acids >4.7 Esters >4.8 Synthetic Polymers >

2.5 Extraction and Uses of Metals

2.5.1C Know that most metals are extracted from ores found in the Earth’s crust and that unreactive metals are often found as the uncombined element

  • The Earth’s crust contains metals and metal compounds such as gold, iron oxide and aluminium oxide
  • Reactive metals are often found chemically combined with other elements
    • This is called ores
    • Common examples of ores are haematite (iron ores) and bauxite (aluminium ores)
  • Unreactive metals are often found pure, as they are not chemically reactive
    • They do not have to be extracted chemically
    • This occurs as they do not easily react with other substances due to their chemical stability
    • Examples include gold and platinum

 

2.5.2C Explain how the method of extraction of a metal is related to its position in the reactivity series, illustrated by carbon extraction for iron and electrolysis for aluminium

METHOD OF EXTRACTION

  • The method of extraction of a metal depends on its position in the reactivity series
  • If the metals are more reactive than carbon:
    • They have to be extracted using electrolysis
    • As they are too reactive and cannot be reduced by carbon
  • If the metals are less reactive than carbon:
    • They can be extracted by heating with carbon which reduces them

2.5.3C Be able to comment on a metal extraction process, given appropriate information (detailed knowledge of the processes used in the extraction of a specific metal is not required)

EXTRACTION OF IRON

  • Iron is below carbon in the reactivity series
  • Heating with carbon would be more appropriate to extract iron from iron ore
  • It is a cheap process as carbon is cheap and can be source of heat as well

EXTRACTION OF ALUMINUIM

  • Aluminium is more reactive than carbon according to the reactivity series
  • Electrolysis should be used to extract aluminium from aluminium ore
  • Large amount of electricity required, so it is a relatively expensive process

2.5.4C Explain the uses of aluminium, copper, iron and steel in terms of their properties the types of steel will be limited to low-carbon (mild), high-carbon and stainless

Uses of Aluminium 

Uses of Copper
Uses of Iron

Uses of Steel

2.5.5C Know that an alloy is a mixture of a metal and one or more elements, usually other metals or carbon

ALLOYS

  • Definition: mixture of a metal and one or more elements, usually other metals or carbon
  • They are mixed together physically, but not chemically combined
  • Alloys have properties that are different from pure metals
    • Greater strength
    • Hardness
    • Resistance to corrosion
    • Resistance to extreme temperatures

2.5.6C Explain why alloys are harder than pure metals

PROPERTIES OF ALLOYS

  • Alloys contain metal ions of different sizes, which distorts the regular arrangement of metal ions
  • This makes it more difficult for the layers to slide over each other
  • Thus, alloys are harder than pure metals
  • Examples of alloys include:
    • Brass (copper + zinc)
    • Steel (iron + other elements)

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