Chemistry GCSE > Metals > Flashcards

Metals Flashcards

(45 cards)

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1
Q

properties of metals?

A
  • hard
  • strong
  • dense
  • shiny
  • malleable
  • good thermal and electrical conductors
  • sonorous
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2
Q

properties of transition metals?

A
  • form colourful compounds
  • good catalysts
  • can form more than one type of ion
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3
Q

reactivity series from most to least reactive

A

Potassium
Sodium
Lithium
Calcium
Magnesium
Aluminium
(carbon)
Zinc
Iron
Tin
Lead
(Hydrogen)
Copper
Silver
Gold

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4
Q

acronym for reactivity series?

A

Please stop like calling me a (careless) zebra, instead try learning (how) copper saves gold

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5
Q

what happens to a less reactive metal when it reacts with a more reactive metal?

A

it is displaced

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6
Q

what is an oxidation

A

where a compound gains oxygen

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7
Q

what is reduction

A

where a compound loses oxygen

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8
Q

what is the oxidising agent?

A

the substance which causes another substance to be oxidised (the oxidising agent is reduced)

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9
Q

what is the reducing agent?

A

the substance which causes another to be reduced ( reducing agent is oxidised)

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10
Q

define redox reaction?

A

a reaction where both an oxidation and reduction occur. oxygen is lost by one reactant and taken by another

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11
Q

what is oxidation (electrons)?

A

substance loses electrons

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12
Q

what is reduction (electrons)

A

substance gains electrons

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13
Q

what is the acronym for redox reactions (electrons)

A

OIL RIG - oxidation is loss, reduction is gain

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14
Q

how does an electrochemical cell work?

A

electrons flow from more reactive metal through a wire

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15
Q

which metal is the negative electrode and why?

A

the more reactive, as it releases electrons (it is oxidised), making it the negative electrode

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16
Q

which metal is the positive electrode and why?

A

less reactive one, as electrons flow towards it (it is reduced), making it the positive electrode

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17
Q

what is an ore?

A

a rock which contains enough of the desired metal to make mining and extraction economical

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18
Q

what is it called when an unreactive element is found uncombined?

A

native, eg. gold

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19
Q

when can carbon reduction be used to extract a metal?

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A

when the desired metal is less reactive than carbon

20
Q

when should electrolysis be used to extract a metal?

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A

when the desired metal is more reactive than carbon

21
Q

how is carbon reduction commonly referred to as?

22
Q

how is smelting carried out?

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A

metal oxide is heated with either carbon or carbon monoxide
carbon reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, then with more carbon to form carbon monoxide
-> carbon monoxide is the reducing agent

23
Q

pros and cons of smelting/carbon reduction?

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A
  • cheap
  • more energy efficient than electrolysis
  • doesn’t work for all metals
24
Q

what is the cathode?

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A

the negative electrode (surplus of electrons)

25
what is the anode?
the positive electrode (lack of electrons)
26
what is the cation?
the positive metal ion
27
what is the anion?
the negative non-metal ion
28
how does electrolysis work?
- cathode and anode placed into melted metal compound - (charge is passed through it via the two electrodes) - cations attracted to cathode and anions attracted to anode - cations gain electrons from cathode to form metal - anions lose electrons to the anode to form the non-metal element
29
what is phytomining and how does it work?
- growing plants in soils with good amounts of the desired metal (compounds) that will absorb without dying (hyperaccumulator) - plant takes up metal compounds - plant burnt, and ash contains lots of metal compounds, which can be extracted easier (via carbon reduction/electrolysis)
30
what is bioleaching and how does it work?
- using bacteria to produce leachate solutions which contain metal compounds - leachate is collected and metal can be extracted
31
what are alloys?
mixtures of metals and/or other elements
32
why are alloys harder than pure metals?
- as it is a mixture of multiple other elements into a metal - there are atoms of different sizes - this means layers are disrupted and cannot slide over each other so easily - therefore it is harder to break/is more malleable
33
uses of certain alloys and why?
- Brass (Chromium and zinc) used for musical instruments as it looks good and doesn't corrode - Stainless steel (Iron, chromium and nickel) is tough, and doesn't corrode, used in cutlery - Magnalium (Magnesium and aluminum) is strong, corrosion resistant and low density, making it ideal for aeroplanes
34
what is the corrosion of iron called and what is it's chemical name?
Rust - Hydrated iron(III) oxide
35
when does iron rust?
when in contact with water and oxygen -> presence of dissolved ionic compound in water makes iron rust faster
36
what are the three types of method for preventing rusting?
sacrificial, barrier and alloy
37
what are the two barrier methods for preventing rusting?
- painting iron/coating in grease or plastic, eg. bike chains or bridges - galvanising: covering with zinc, so forms a barrier, but if scratched works sacrificially as zinc is more reactive
38
what are the two sacrificial methods for preventing rusting?
- galavanising: covering with zinc (so barrier) but corrodes instead of iron even when scratched (sacrificial) - sacrificial protection: covering with more reactive metal like zinc or aluminium, so that corrodes intead of iron even if it is chipped
39
what is the alloy method for preventing rusting?
using stainless steel, which doesn't rust
40
pros and cons of barrier method?
cheap doesn't work if barrier is broken
41
pros and cons of sacrificial method?
works well even when chipped need to check to make sure there is enough non-corroded more reactive metal left, otherwise iron will rust
42
pros and cons of alloy method?
very effective more expensive
43
what is electroplating and how does it work?
- cell is used to create a cathode and an anode, placed in a solution - the object you want to be electroplated should be negative in the case of copper, but may vary for other metals - similar to electrolysis, cations attracted to cathode and anions attracted to anode - this causes a thin layer of metal to build up around cathode, giving object the appearance of that metal.
44
what is a life cycle assessment?
assessment carried out to determine environmental impact in different stages of a products life.
45
what factors are used in a life cycle assessment?
- main requirements for energy input - env. impact of making materials from natural resources - env. impact of making product from material - env. impact of using the product - env. impact of disposing of the product by incineration, landfill or recycling
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