What is a metal ore?
What is a metal ore? An ore is any kind of rock or mineral from which a metal can be profitably extracted. Metals are rarely found uncombined (as elements) in nature. They are nearly always present in the forms of compounds, often where the metal is chemically joined with oxygen. Only the most unreactive metals, like silver and gold will be found pure. The most common metals are oxides and sulphides. Ores are rocks from which we extract metals. Metals are found naturally in rocks called ores. They are in compounds, chemically bonded to other elements. However, the unreactive metals are at the bottom of the reactivity series can be found as the elements themselves. We say they are found native. We can find copper, silver, gold and platinum as the metals in nature. What factors do companies consider when deciding whether to extract a metal from its ore? There are many different factors that the companies will look for, a few of them are: - How much will it cost? - How to extract the metal? - How much the metal will be worth etc. What are the three methods of metal extraction? Given that most metals are only found locked up in their ores, but how do you go about getting them out? For a few metals, such as mercury, heat will do the trick. But for most ores the temperatures needed are far too high to make this a practical possibility. Another approach is needed. There are
To find out how current affects the rate of electrolysis
Electrolysis experiment. Aim: To find out how current affects the rate of electrolysis. Pre-test: Pre-test Apparatus: . Power Pack 2. Stop watch 3. 3 wires 4. Amp meter 5. A piece of Card 6. stop watch 7. Top pan balance Pre-test Method: . Check to see if all the apparatus work by forming a small circuit with a bulb 2. Collect apparatus and set them out like the diagram below. Ensure that the positive wire leads to the anode and the negative leads to the cathode. 3. Measure out 50 ml of copper sulphate 4. In to a small class beaker 5. Weigh cathode on top pan balance 6. Slide anode and cathode in to piece of card and place in electrolyte 7. Turn on the power pack 8. Time until two minutes 9. Weigh cathode make sure you do not scrape off any copper 0. Repeat three times 1. Repeat for each current Pre-test Findings: By doing this pre-test I have learnt that: * The analog amp meter is very unreliable it * To be very accurate I need to use a multi meter * To be careful not to scrape of copper when measuring weight * Make sure that the anode and the cathode do not touch during the experiment * Make sure wires and power packs are working before you start * To change the electrolyte after each experiment * To use a stop watch instead of a clock as it is more accurate * To use a variable resistor to get the exact current you need Research: There are
An investigation to see how voltage affects The electrolysis in a copper Sulphate solution using copper electrodes.
An investigation to see how voltage affects The electrolysis in a copper Sulphate solution using copper electrodes. Aim To find out how the voltage affected the electrolysis in a copper sulphate solution by weighing the amount of copper that was on the anode and the cathode and then comparing the difference from before the electrolysis. Theory Electrolysis is the process of decomposing the compounds by electrical energy and an element is produced at each electrode. In this case I have chosen copper sulphate solution to electrolyse. In the experiment when the solution is being electrolysed it starts to decompose and at cathode there is copper formed and oxygen at the anode. This is caused by electricity from the power supply, which has caused a chemical change. The reaction, which occurs at the cathode, is: Cu2+ (aq) +2e- › Cu (s) The reaction, which occurs at the anode, is: Cu (s) › Cu2+ (aq) + 2e- Variables The possible independent variables that could have been tested in this test are the following; the amount of copper sulphate in the beaker, the current, the voltage, the size of anode and cathode, the duration of time given for it to electrolyse and the distance between the anode and the cathode whilst inside the electrolyte In this test we have decided to set the voltage as our independent variable. We will then see how much copper is deposited after 3
How are products from oil obtained and used?
How are products from oil obtained and used? Crude oil is a vital substance used frequently in our everyday lives. However we are all aware that oil is being used faster than it can be produced and that there are only scarce amounts left. The question is how can we make these products last as long as possible and what are the alternatives? Crude oil is a fossil fuel, made naturally from decaying plants and animals living in ancient seas millions of years ago. It is usually found under the ground and under the sea in certain parts of the world such as the Middle East and Texas, in the USA. Although crude oil is very important substance, the oil itself has no direct use, so has to be refined. The first step in the refinery of crude oil is fractional distillation. Fractional distillation is used to separate fractions such as gasoline, bitumen, kerosene, petroleum, fuel oil, etc from crude oil. During fractional distillation the crude oil is split into a variety of fractions, during the process each fraction of the crude oil will evaporate and can therefore be collected by condensing it. This means that if you know the certain boiling points of each fraction you can separate the certain substance you need. The process begins in the oil refinery. In the oil refinery the crude oil is heated to turn the oil in to a vapour; it is then fed into the bottom of the fractionating
How the Concentration of Sodium Thiosulphate affects the Rate of Reaction
Rate of Reaction Coursework By Bonnie Kingett Contents Aim....................................................................................................................2 Introduction.......................................................................................................2 Preliminary Plan................................................................................................2 Preliminary Results...........................................................................................3 Safety................................................................................................................4 Fair Test............................................................................................................4 Method..............................................................................................................5 Results..............................................................................................................5 Conclusion........................................................................................................7 Evaluation.........................................................................................................8 Aim: The aim of our investigation was to find out how the rate of reaction between Sodium Thiosulphate and Hydrochloric Acid is affected by varying the
Why is Aluminium utilised in the contemporary world, for the construction of aircraft and rockets, more so than other metals and substances?
Why is Aluminium utilised in the contemporary world, for the construction of aircraft and rockets, more so than other metals and substances? Aluminium is used extravagantly in the contemporary world, primarily due to its unique structure and desirable properties. Further, aluminium is the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust; thus, scarcity is not a problem. It is a member of the Boron group of chemical elements, and is ‘the most widely used non-ferrous metal’ (Planet Ark, 2010). It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is necessary to consider the fact that ‘pure aluminium is not often used as it has poor mechanical properties. It is usually alloyed with other metals or silicon’ (Chemical Industry Education Centre, 2011). A key area in which aluminium alloys are utilised is for the construction of aircraft and rockets. Aircraft manufacturers use high-strength aluminium alloys for the construction of aircraft and rockets. This is because aluminium (the predominant element of the alloy) is able to be compounded with other metals and substances, is highly malleable, resistant to corrosion and consists of a high strength to density ratio, in comparison to other metals. ‘Aluminium is used in virtually all segments of the aircraft, missile and spacecraft industry-in airframes, engines, accessories, and tankage for liquid fuel and oxidizers’
Suitability Test
Suitability Test Introduction My work is about a scenario where a building contractor that wishes to develop an area of land into new houses for families. The Environment Agency has been asked to check the land for contamination. My task is to decide which method of testing Ph values in soil is most suitable for an environmental scientist. The desirable characteristics should be: * Safe: So no one is harmed whilst using it. * Easy To Use: So its easier to carry out more than once * Accurate: So that the readings are reliable. * Light: So it is easy to carry around. * Portable: So that it is easy to transport around. * Durable: So it can last longer. * Small: So that it's easier to transport. * Cheap: So it saves money and is cost effective. * Energy Efficient: So it doesn't need a mains power supply. Evaluation RED= Poor ORANGE= Average GREEN= Good Cost Litmus U.I. Solution Soil Probe pH Probe About 3p £4.15 £6.95 £294.46 Accuracy Litmus U.I. Solution Soil Probe pH Probe Acid/Alkali 0.5 .0 0.01 Time for results Litmus U.I. Solution Soil Probe pH Probe 5 Minutes 5 Minutes Minute 5-10 Minutes Sensitivity Litmus U.I. Solution Soil Probe pH Probe Acid/Alkali -14 Full Range 4-7 Full Range - More Accurate Durability Litmus U.I. Solution Soil Probe pH Probe ***** *** **** **** Easy To Use Litmus U.I. Solution
Is Aluminium a Suitable Metal for Manufacturing Bicycles?
Is Aluminium a Suitable Metal for Manufacturing Bicyces? Extraction Process for Aluminium The ore of aluminium is Bauxite and it contains 52.9% aluminium and 47.1% oxygen. The extraction of aluminium takes three main stages: * The mining of bauxite * Refining of the ore to produce aluminium oxide * Electrolysis of aluminium oxide to produce aluminium Mining Bauxite is mined by removing the top layers of soil and then removing the ore from the area by use of explosives to break it into moveable pieces. The bauxite is then crushed on site, sometimes washed to remove soil and clay and then dried in a kiln or it may just be dried. It is then ready to be transported by railway or ships to refineries. Refining Bauxite is made of aluminium oxide-2-water (Al2O3.2H2O) and silicon (IV) oxide (SiO2) and iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3). The bauxite is refined to extract pure aluminium oxide: * The bauxite is ground * Then heated with concentrated NaOH (aq) * This forms a solution of sodium aluminate and sodium silicate, plus a residue of iron (III) oxide, which is removed. * CO2(g) is blown in and the sodium silicate remains in solution, but a precipitate if aluminium hydroxide is formed. * The mixture is then filtered, washed and heated to leave anhydrous aluminium oxide (alumina). * Al2O3 is left. Electrolysis This is how the aluminium and oxygen is separated, through
How the concentration of brine affects the conduction of electricity.
Electrolysis Investigation Aim: How the concentration of brine affects the conduction of electricity Background Information: Electrolysis: Metals that are more reactive than carbon are extracted by electrolysis. Electrolysis is the break down of a substance by electricity. Electrolysis only occurs in when an ionic substance is molten or is in solution. A substance that can be electrolysed is called an electrolyte. Electrolytes are made up of ions. Electrolytes need to be molten or in solution, so that the ions present are free to move. Ionic compounds have high melting points, so it is often easier to electrolyse the solution of the ionic compound. When the electrodes are connected to a source of direct current one, called the cathode, becomes negatively (-) charged while the other, called the anode, becomes positively (+) charged. The positive ions in the electrolyte will move toward the cathode and the negatively charged ions toward the anode. This migration of ions through the electrolyte constitutes the electric current in that part of the circuit. The migration of electrons into the anode, through the wiring and an electric generator, and then back to the cathode constitutes the current in the external circuit. Concentration: The concentration of a mixture also effects the rate of reaction. An increase in concentration means there are more particles. More
An investigation into the factors which affect the currentflowing during electrolysis
An investigation into the factors which affect the current flowing during electrolysis Introduction Electric current is the flow of electrons. Sodium chloride in solution is able to conduct electricity because when dissolved sodium ions and chloride ions are produced. The chloride ions that are negatively charged due to their extra electron are attracted to the anode where they give up that extra electron and bond with other molecules to form the chlorine gas, Cl2. The extra electron then flows through the circuit to the cathode. H+ ions in the solution are attracted to the negative charge of the cathode and there they gain the extra electrons that originally belonged to the Cl- ions. Hydrogen gas is then formed and the circuit is complete. 2e + 2H+ --> H2 2Cl- - 2e --> Cl2 Variables Concentration of NaCl- The bigger the concentration the more ions will be in the solution. This will mean that more ions will get to the electrodes, which means more electrons will get into the wire. This will greater the current. Temperature- the ions will go quicker to the electrodes as the water will vibrate quicker when hotter. This will increase the current. Voltage- The current would be decreased because by ohm's law v=ir Surface area of the electrodes- if the surface area on the electrode increases there will be more space for the ions to go to and therefore the current will
