Chemistry (school) · Part 07
Metals and electrolysis
Why some metals are more reactive, how we get metals out of rock and how electricity splits compounds.
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- Reactivity seriesA list of metals in order of how readily they react. Potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium are near the top. Copper and gold are near the bottom.
- Displacement reactionA reaction in which a more reactive element pushes a less reactive element out of its compound.
- OxidationA reaction where a substance gains oxygen or loses electrons. Metals are oxidised when they burn or rust.
- ReductionA reaction where a substance loses oxygen or gains electrons.
- OreA rock that contains enough of a metal compound to make it worth extracting the metal. Most metals are found as compounds, such as oxides.
- Extraction by carbonMetals less reactive than carbon, such as iron, are extracted by heating their oxide with carbon. The carbon takes the oxygen away.
- ElectrolysisUsing electricity to split a molten or dissolved ionic compound into its elements. It is used to extract reactive metals such as aluminium.
- ElectrolyteThe molten or dissolved ionic compound used in electrolysis. The ions are free to move, so it conducts electricity.
- RustingIron reacting with oxygen and water to form hydrated iron oxide, a flaky orange-brown solid. Both oxygen and water are needed.