Metals, Earth Resources and Industrial Processes
Metal properties and reactivity
You must know the reactivity series and use it to predict displacement reactions and methods of extraction. Metals above carbon are extracted by electrolysis; metals below carbon by reduction with carbon. A trap is expecting an unreactive metal such as copper to displace a more reactive one; it cannot.
Extraction and uses
Learn the extraction of iron in a blast furnace and the electrolysis of aluminium. Relate uses of metals to properties: copper for wiring because it conducts, aluminium for aircraft because it is light and strong when alloyed, iron for structures because it is strong.
Alloys and corrosion
Alloys are mixtures of a metal with other elements to improve properties. Rusting needs oxygen and water; prevention includes painting, greasing, galvanising and alloying.
Earth resources
Know that rocks, minerals, fossil fuels and ores are finite. Industrial processes such as the extraction of metals, the manufacture of lime from limestone, and the production of fuels have environmental costs, including emissions and land damage. Recycling conserves resources and reduces energy use.
Worked example
Predict whether zinc will displace copper from copper sulfate solution. Zinc is above copper in the reactivity series, so yes: zinc + copper sulfate → zinc sulfate + copper. If the question used copper and zinc sulfate, no reaction occurs.