3.2 Extracting Metals: Electrolysis
Electrolysis is used for metals that are more reactive than carbon. It is a very expensive process because a lot of energy in used. Aluminium is an example of a metal that is extracted by electrolysis.
In addition to extraction of a metal, electrolysis is used to purify metals, such as copper. The extraction of copper takes the following process:
Copper is used for electrical cabling, meaning that it is essential for it to be as pure as possible.
In addition to extraction of a metal, electrolysis is used to purify metals, such as copper. The extraction of copper takes the following process:
- Copper is less reactive than carbon and therefore can be extracted by reduction using carbon.
- However, reduction leads to copper being fairly impure meaning that it is not able to conduct electricity very well.
- Therefore, electrolysis is used to purify copper further, thus allowing it to be better at conducting electricity.
Copper is used for electrical cabling, meaning that it is essential for it to be as pure as possible.
The Electrolysis Process
Electrolysis is the breaking down of ionic substance using electricity. An ionic substance is formed when a metal reacts with a non-metal and they contain particles called ions. For electrolysis, you need a liquid to conduct the electricity. This liquid is called an electrolyte and is a metal salt solution made from the ore. Electricity is then sent into the liquid through two pieces of metal; an anode (which is positively charged) and a cathode (which is negatively charged). Coppers electrons are pulled off its atoms, causing copper to become positively charged (Cu2+). As the copper is now positively charged, it is attracted to the cathode (the negatively charged piece of metal in the water). The impurities are dropped when the electrons are taken from the electrolyte. The electrons are taken by the anode, which leads to a layer of sludge building up below the anode.
Diagram coming soon; apologies for the delay.
Electrolysis is the breaking down of ionic substance using electricity. An ionic substance is formed when a metal reacts with a non-metal and they contain particles called ions. For electrolysis, you need a liquid to conduct the electricity. This liquid is called an electrolyte and is a metal salt solution made from the ore. Electricity is then sent into the liquid through two pieces of metal; an anode (which is positively charged) and a cathode (which is negatively charged). Coppers electrons are pulled off its atoms, causing copper to become positively charged (Cu2+). As the copper is now positively charged, it is attracted to the cathode (the negatively charged piece of metal in the water). The impurities are dropped when the electrons are taken from the electrolyte. The electrons are taken by the anode, which leads to a layer of sludge building up below the anode.
Diagram coming soon; apologies for the delay.