| 4.3 |
Extraction of Metals From Its Ore |
| Definition |
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Metal extraction is the process of obtaining pure metal from its ore
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Metal extraction can be done using more reactive metals to displace the less reactive metal from its oxide
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The thermite process is used to extract iron from iron oxide on a small scale
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This reaction releases so much heat that it is able to melt iron which has a melting point of 1,538 ° C
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Metal extraction in the industry is done using two main methods, namely heating of oxide logs with carbon (cheap and easy) and electrolysis of molten metal compounds
Methods of extracting some types of metals:
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Metals
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Extraction method
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Potassium
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Electrolysis process
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Sodium
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Calcium
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Magnesium
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Aluminium
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Zinc
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Heating the metal oxide with carbon (coke charcoal)
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Iron
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Tin
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Lead
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Copper
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Mercury
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Burning of its ore by heating
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Iron extraction:
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A mixture of iron ore, limestone, and carbon (coke charcoal) is put in a blast furnace and heated at 1,900 ° C
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The reaction takes place and iron is extracted as molten iron
Tin extraction:
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Tin ore will be processed first to remove impurities
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A mixture of tin, limestone, and carbon (coke charcoal) is placed in a blast furnace and heated to 1,350 ° C
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The reaction takes place and tin is extracted as a tin melt
Adverse effects of mining activities:
