Getting Metals From Rocks #3

Question	Answer
What is the final way you can extract copper?	Using a displacement reaction
What happens when you put a reactive metal into a solution of a dissolved metal compound?	The reactive metal will replace the less reactive metal in the compound- a displacement reaction
Why does a displacement reaction occur?	Because the more reactive metal bonds more strongly to the non-metal of the compound and pushes out the less reactive metal
What is a really beneficial example of a displacement reaction? Why is this useful?	Scrap iron can be used to displace copper, copper sulfate + iron = iron sulfate + copper. This is useful as scrap iron is cheap but copper is expensive and even more useful
Why is it important to recycle as much copper rich ore as possible?	Because they are in short supply
What are two new examples of extracting copper?	Bioleaching and Phytomining
What is Bioleaching?	Using bacteria, which get energy from the bond between copper and sulfur (compound), separating the copper from the ore in the process. The solution produced contains copper which can be extracted
What is Phytomining?	Growing plants in soil which cant use or get rid of copper so it gradually builds up in the leaves. The plant is then harvested, dried and burned in a furnace. The copper can be collected in the ash left in the furnace
What is a benefit to the newer methods of copper extraction?	they have less damaging effects on the environment

Resource summary

	Created by Adam Collinge over 10 years ago