8.2 The Chemical Earth
1. Mixtures in the Earth
1.2 Elements, mixtures, compounds and the particle theory
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1.3 The spheres
1.4 Separation of naturally occurring mixtures
1.5 Properties which enable separation
1.6 Gravimetric analysis
1.7 Inorganic and organic
1.8 Names of carbon compounds
1.9 Case Study – Froth Flotation
2. Elements
2.1 Reactivity of an element and natural existence
2.3 Uses of metals and non-metals
2.4 Physical properties of common elements
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2.5 Periodic Table
3. Compounds
3.1 Particle nature of matter
3.2 Energy levels of electrons
3.6 Ionic bonding
4. Chemical Attraction
4.1 Physical and chemical change
5.1 Physical and Chemical properties
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5.2 Physical properties for ionic, covalent molecular or covalent network compounds
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5.3 Metallic, ionic and covalent bonds
Metallic bonding model Ionic bonding model
5.5 The empirical and molecular formula
8.3 Metals
1. Metals and Alloys
1.1 Metals through history
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1.3 Energy input for extraction of metals
2. Metals and reactions
2.1 Reactions with water, dilute acid, and oxygen
2.3 Electron transfer in reactions
Zn(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) + H2 (g)* …….. Complete ionic equation
Zn(s) + 2H+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + H2 (g) ……… Net ionic equation
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2.5 Relative activity and the Periodic Table
2.6 The first ionization energy
3. The Periodic Table
1. Mixtures in the Earth
1.2 Elements, mixtures, compounds and the particle theory
- The particle theory states that all matter is made up of tiny particles which are continuously moving
- A mixture is a substance which can be separated into two or more substances by physical or mechanical means such as filtering.
- The difference between a mixture and a pure substance is as follows:
Mixture | Pure Substance |
Can be separated into two or more substances by physical or mechanical means | Cannot be separated into two or more substances by physical or mechanical means |
May be homogenous (uniform composition throughout) or heterogeneous (non uniform composition) | Can only be homogenous |
Displays the properties of the pure substances it is composed up | Has properties which are constant throughout the whole sample |
Properties can change as the relative amount of substance changes | Properties cannot change regardless of how it is prepared or how many times it is purified |
Has a variable composition | Has a fixed composition |
E.g. Tea, tap water, milk, petrol, coins | E.g. Salt, copper, gold, sugar, water, alcohol |
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- An element is a pure substance which cannot be decomposed into simpler substances
- A compound is a pure substance which can be decomposed into simpler substances such as elements
- It has properties that are quite different from those elements which make is up
1.3 The spheres
- The atmosphere is the layer if gases around the earth
- An example of a mixture which exists in this ‘sphere’ is air
- Examples of elements in this ‘sphere’ are nitrogen, oxygen, and argon
- Examples of compounds in this sphere are H2O, CO2, NO2, SO2, and CO
- The biosphere is any part of the on earth where life exists
- An example of a mixture in this sphere is an animal cell
- An example of an element in this sphere is oxygen
- Examples of compounds in this sphere are H2O, CO2, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates
- The hydrosphere is the zone containing water and all its states
- An example of a mixture in this sphere is seawater
- An example of an element in this sphere is oxygen
- Examples of compounds in this sphere are H2O, NaCl, CaCl2 and MgCl2
- The lithosphere is rigid outer rock layer of the Earth including all of the crust and the upper mantle
- Examples of mixtures in this sphere are granite rock and clay
- Examples of elements in this sphere are iron, gold, silver and copper
- Examples of compounds in this sphere are Fe2O3 and SiO2
1.4 Separation of naturally occurring mixtures
- Solids of different sizes
- Separated by sieving
- Sieving is a separation process which involves allowing only particles of a certain size or smaller to pass through a sieve, in order to separate different substance.
- Eg. Pebbles and sand
- Separated by sieving
- Solids and liquids (Solids are insoluble)
- Separated by sedimentation
- Sedimentation is the process of allowing dense solids to settle at the bottom of the container, which separates it from the liquid
- Separated by decanting
- Decanting is the process of carefully pouring off liquid and leaving solid undisturbed at the bottom of the container
- Separated by filtering
- Filtration involves passing the mixture through filter paper, where the solid particles are trapped and unable to pass.
- The filtrate is the solution which passes through the solution.
- Separated by suspension
- A suspension is a dispersion of particles through a liquid with the particles being sufficiently large, that they settle out on standing.
- Eg. Sand and water
- Separated by sedimentation
- Dissolved solids in liquids
- The solid in the liquid is known as the solution, whereas the liquid by itself is known as the solvent, and the solid is known as the solute
- Separated by evaporation
- Evaporation involves heating the solution in an evaporating basin to drive off the solvent and leave the solute behind
- Separated by distillation
- Distillation is the method of separating liquids from solutions. It involves boiling the substance and condensing the resulting vapour back to liquid in a different part of the apparatus.
- The liquid collected from distillation is known as distillate
- Separated by crystallization
- Crystallization involves forming solid crystals from a homogenous solution.
- Eg. Sodium chloride and water
- Liquids
- Separated by fraction distillation
- Fractional distillation is a type of distillation where a substance is heated to certain boiling points where the most volatile of the liquids will evaporate, before being condensed back to liquid in a different part of the apparatus
- Volatile means ‘able to be converted to vapour’
- The more volatile a liquid, the lower its boiling point
- Separated by a separating funnel
- A separating funnel is a method which involves the densest of the immiscible liquids to be allowed to run out of the pear shaped device without contaminating any other liquids.
- Two liquids are said to be immiscible if when mixed, do not form a homogenous liquid but instead, stay as drops of one liquid dispersed over the other liquid.
- Eg. Ethanol and water
- Separated by fraction distillation
- Gases
- Separation by liquefaction followed by fractional distillation
- This involves converting the mixture of gases into liquids, before using fractional distillation
- Separation by liquefaction followed by fractional distillation
1.5 Properties which enable separation
- Each separation method is only useful due to a physical property of the mixture. They are as follows:
- Sieving – Particle size
- Filtering – Solubility and particle size
- Sedimentation, decanting and suspension – Density
- Distillation – Boiling point
- Separating funnel – Density of immiscible liquids
- Evaporation – Liquid has much lower boiling point than solid
- Crystallization – Differences in solubility
1.6 Gravimetric analysis
- Gravimetric analysis is used to determine the quantities of substance present in a sample
- It involve weighing, separating a component from the mixture, filtering, drying, and weighing again
- Gravimetric analysis is used to find:
- To find if a mineral deposit contains sufficiently high percentage of the required compound to make its extraction from that deposit economically viable
- To determine percentage composition of the soil and see if it is suitable for growing a particular crop
- To decide how polluted a particular sample of air or water is
- To decide whether a particular commercial mixture being sold has the same percentage composition as a similar mixture marketed by a rival company.
1.7 Inorganic and organic
- Any compound containing carbon is organic except
- CO2
- CO
- CO32-
- Or any other carbon oxide
1.8 Names of carbon compounds
- Hydrocarbons are organic compounds containing only the atoms of hydrogen and carbon
- There are 3 families, and each family is known as a homologous series
- A Homologous series is a grouping of atoms which have something common in all members of the series. It is also known as a functional group
- The 3 families are:
- Alkanes, which have single bonds
- General formula of CnH2n+2
- Alkenes , which have double bonds
- General formula of CnH2n
- Alkynes, which have triple bonds
- General formula of CnH2n-2
- Alkanes, which have single bonds
- Other homologous series include
- Alkanols, which are in the functional group OH (hydroxyl group)
- General formula of CnH2n+1OH
- Alkanoic Acid, which are in the functional group COOH (carboxyl group)
- General formula of CnH2nO2
- Alkanols, which are in the functional group OH (hydroxyl group)
- Isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structural formula
- Eg. 1-butene and 2-butene
1.9 Case Study – Froth Flotation
- This industrial separation process is used to separate mineral ores (mainly zinc, lead and copper sulfides) from the lithosphere
- The process involves
- Crushing ore into small particles and mixing with water in a large tank
- Air is blown into the tank and chemicals added to mixture to make it froth and help metal minerals cling to the froth
- The metal sulfides cling to the bubbles and float to the top of the tank, whilst gangue minerals (unwanted minerals) do not cling since they have different surface tension properties.
- The metal sulfides are then skimmed from the bubbles, and are heated in a smelter to extract the metals
- The products of the separation and their uses are:
- Lead – Lead-acid batteries and crystal glass
- Zinc – Alloy, to galvanize steel
- Copper – To make electrical wiring and water pipes
- Issues associated with wastes produced
- Disposing of waste safely due to toxic residue
- Preventing wastes from entering food chains
2. Elements
2.1 Reactivity of an element and natural existence
- The less reactive an element, the higher the chance of finding it in the Earth as an uncombined element
- Eg. Inert gases such as helium and metals with low reactivity such as gold are found as uncombined elements
- Extremely reactive elements are never found as uncombined elements naturally
- Metals
- Solid at room temperature (except mercury)
- Shiny or lustrous appearance
- Good conductors of heat and electricity
- Malleable (Can be hammered into shapes) and ductile (Can be drawn into wires)
- High melting and boiling points
- High densities (except some such as sodium and aluminium)
- Non-metals
- Poor conductors of heat and electricity
- Dull appearance
- Brittle
- Semi-metals
- Dull
- Solid at room temperature with high melting and boiling points
- Poor conductors of electricity and heat (except graphite)
2.3 Uses of metals and non-metals
- Metals
- Gold
- Used for jewelry since it is shiny and malleable
- Aluminium
- Aircrafts since it is light weight and malleable
- Iron
- Used for steel since it is high in strength
- Gold
- Semi-metals
- Carbon
- Used for diamonds since it is shiny and very hard
- Carbon
- Non-metals
- Helium
- Used for filling balloons since it has a low density
- Chlorine
- Used for disinfectant and bleach since it has a low melting and boiling point
- Helium
2.4 Physical properties of common elements
Element | Appearance | Malleable | Conductive | Density (g/cm3) | Melting.P (ºC) | Boiling.P (ºC) | Hardness (mohs) | Uses |
Al | Shiny, silver | Yes | Yes | 2.9 | 660 | 2950 | 2.5 | To make aircraft |
Pb | Dull, grey, lustrous | Yes | Yes | 11.4 | 327 | 17400 | 1.5 | Batteries |
Fe | Shiny silver | Yes | Yes | 7.6 | 1535 | 2750 | 6.5 | Railings |
Mg | Shiny silver | Yes | Yes | 1.7 | 650 | 1110 | 2.5 | Flares, fireworks |
Zn | Shiny silver | Yes | Yes | 7.1 | 419 | 907 | 2 | To galvanize iron |
Sn | Silver | Yes | Yes | 7.3 | 232 | 2602 | 1.5 | Jewelry Mirrors |
Cu | Brass shiny | Yes | Yes | 8.96 | 1085 | 2572 | 3 | Electrical wiring Water pipes |
I | Black grey | No | No | 4.94 | 114 | 184 | N/A | Sterilization |
S | Yellow powder | No | No | 2.07 | 113 | 445 | 1.5 | Sulfuric acid |
C | Dull black-grey | Yes | Yes | 2.26 | 3727 | 3642 | 10 | Jewelry and pencils |
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2.5 Periodic Table
- Metals, semi-metals, and non-metals
- Solids, liquids and gases (at 25°C)
3. Compounds
3.1 Particle nature of matter
- All matter is made up of small particles that are continuously in random motion and interacting with each other
- Solids have particles which are close together and vibrate in fixed positions. Due to this, solids:
- Have a definite shape
- Have a definite volume
- Cannot be compressed
- Cannot diffuse
- Have particles with the least kinetic energy
- Liquids have particles which are close together but able to move more freely. Due to this, liquids:
- Do not have a definite shape, but take up the shape of their container
- Have a definite volume
- Can be compressed
- Can diffuse
- Have particles with some kinetic energy. Due to this, liquids have weaker forces between neighboring particles
- Gases have particles which are much further apart and moving very freely in rapid motion. Due to this, gases:
- Does not have a definite shape. It’s shape depends on the container
- Spread out quickly to fill the whole volume
- Can be compressed
- Can diffuse
- Have particles with great amounts of kinetic energy
- Solids have particles which are close together and vibrate in fixed positions. Due to this, solids:
3.2 Energy levels of electrons
- Atoms do not collapse when electrons are attracted to the nucleus, since the electrons have posses enough energy to resist moving straight towards the nucleus
- Electrons exist in energy levels, also known as layers of energy shells
- Electrons fill the shells closer to the nucleus first.
- The closer the to the nucleus a shell is, the lower its energy level is
- Each energy level can only hold a certain maximum number of electrons. The amount of electrons held in each shell can be figured from the formula
- which denotes the maximum amount of electrons held in the nth energy level
- An energy level may hold less electrons than its maximum capacity, but no more
- The electrons fill as follows
- Fills 1st 2 (2)
- Then 8 (2.8)
- Then next 8 (2.8.8)
- Now instead of continuing to 9, its fills till 2 are complete in next shell since its more stable that way (2.8.8.2)
- Then it goes back and starts filling the 3rd shell till its full (2.8.18.2)
- Exceptions at Cr and Cu, see back for Aufbau principle
- Then the 4th shell begins to get full till it reaches Kr (2.8.18.8)
- Then like before, fills till 2 in the next shell for stability (2.8.18.8.2)
- Then begins filling 4th shell till 2.8.18.10.2
- Then random exceptions, see Aufbau principle
- The number of electrons in the outermost, highest energy shell is known as the valence shell
- It determines the interactions between atom
- An atom contains an extremely small dense nucleus surrounded by an electron cloud
- The bulk of the volume is given by the nucleus
- The nucleus contains protons and neutrons, whereas the electrons are in the electron cloud
- Atoms or electrically neutral
- The atomic number of an element is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom (also equal to the number of electrons in an atom)
- The mass number of an element is the number of protons + neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
- An ion forms when an atom loses or gains electrons
- Atoms which lose electrons are known as cations
- Atoms which gain electrons are known as anions
- Ions which have the same electronic configuration are known as isoelectric
- Eg. Na+, Ca2+, Al3+, and F- all have the configuration of 2.8, and are thus isoelectric with the atom Ne
- Valency is the combining power, the tendency to lose, gain, or share one or more electrons
- Ions are positively or negatively charged particles which are usually bonded with other ions by strong forces of electrostatic attraction.
- Elements in Group 1 have an ion of 1+ charge
- Elements in Group 2 have an ion of 2+ charge
- Elements in Group 3 have an ion of 3+ charge
- Elements in Group 4 have an ion of 4+ charge
- Elements in Group 5 have an ion of 3- charge
- Elements in Group 6 have an ion of 2- charge
- Elements in Group 7 have an ion of 1- charge
- Elements in Group 8 do not form ions]
- Metals
- Sodium
- Calcium
- Non-metals
- Chlorine
- Oxygen
- Ions
- Potassium
- Nitrogen
- Ionic bonding
- Sodium chloride
- Iron (II) oxide
- Covalent bonding
- O2
- H2O
- CO3
- C2H4
3.6 Ionic bonding
- Ionic bonding is the type of chemical bonding which involves outright transfer of electrons from one atom to another
- This bonding consists of electrostatic between the positive and negative ions formed by this transfer of electrons
- In ionic compounds there are no discrete molecules, only an infinite array of positive and negative ions.
- An empirical formulae are formulae which give the ration by atoms of elements in a compound rather than the actual numbers of atoms in a molecule.
- A molecule is the smallest particle of a substance that is capable of separate existence
- They are particles which can move independently of each other
- Molecules are usually formed by covalent bonding of non-metals
- A special type of molecule is a monatomic molecule
- This is a molecule with only one atom in it
- These molecules are made of noble gases, which already have a saturated outer shell
- Similarly, diatomic atoms are made of 2 atoms, which share electrons by covalent bonding
- A covalent molecule is a molecule where its atoms bond covalently
- Covalent bonds are formed between pairs of atoms by sharing electrons
- Shared electrons occupy a volume of space that surrounds both atoms.
- The bonding resulting for the sharing of electrons is known as covalent bonding
- - represents a single pair of electrons being shared
- = represents a double pair of electrons being shared
- represents a triple pair of electrons being shared
- E.g. two oxygen both have valences of ‘2-‘. Thus they both share two electrons resulting in a diatomic molecule known as O2 with the structure as O=O
- The number of electrons needed by an atom to attain a noble gas configuration tells us how many covalent bonds that atom can form
4. Chemical Attraction
4.1 Physical and chemical change
- A physical change is a change in which no new substance is formed
- Examples are:
- Changing state
- Changing physical appearance
- Dissolving solid into liquid
- Physical changes are easily reversible
- Physical changes have relatively small energy changes
- Physical properties are those which relate to physical changes, such as MP, BP, density, conductivity, and hardness
- Examples are:
- A chemical change is a change in which at least one new substance is formed. (also known as chemical reaction)
- Examples are:
- Precipitate formed
- Change in colour
- Odour is produced
- Significant change in temperature
- Disappearance of solid which is not merely dissolution
- Chemical changes are difficult to reverse
- Chemical reactions involve a large input or output of energy
- Mass is conserved in a chemical reaction
- In a chemical reaction, the starting substances are known as reactants, whereas the resulting substances are known as products
- Chemical properties are those which relate to chemical changes, such as decomposition, effect of light, and reactivity with other substances
- Examples are:
- Boiling and Electrolysis of Water
- These two processes clearly illustrate the difference between physical and chemical changes
- Electrolysis of water involves passing a current through water to decompose it into hydrogen and oxygen
- Boiling water involves heating water causing the particles to vibrate with more intensity due to an increase in kinetic energy until the dipole-dipole attractions break and the liquid changes state and becomes vapour.
- Electrolysis is a chemical change whereas boiling is a physical change since
- Electrolysis produced two new substances where as boiling does not produce any new substance
- Electrolysis is difficult to reverse (products need to be mixed together and ignited at high temp) whereas boiling is easily reversed (cooling vapour changes its state to liquid)
- Electrolysis requires much more energy (20 – 30 kj/g) compared to boiling (2.3kj/g)
- Electrolysis actually breaks up the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, whereas boiling just separates the WHOLE molecules from one another, and doesn’t actually affect the molecule itself.
- Light, heat, and electricity are common forms of energy that may be released during synthesis or absorbed during decomposition
- Decomposing a compound into elements required a large input of energy because it is necessary to overcome the strong chemical bonds holding the atoms together
- The stronger the chemical bond, the more energy is required to break the compound into elements. Alternatively, the stronger the chemical bonding in a compound, the higher the energy is released
- Everyday applications of decomposing include
- Airbags, where sodium azide is decomposed into sodium and nitrogen gas
- Aluminium is decomposed by electrolyzing molten aluminium oxide
- Calcium carbonate is decomposed by heating it to make lime, cement, and glass
- Every day applications of synthesis (direct combination reactions) include
- Rusting of iron and steel to form iron(III) oxide
- Burning of coke (carbon) which releases much heat energy for smelting
- Lightning which causes nitrogen and oxygen to form nitric oxide (NO)
- As seen in 4.3, the higher the amount of energy needed to separate atoms in a compound, the greater the strength of attraction or bond between those atoms
- When light hits a silver salt, a redox reaction occurs causing the Ag+ to become Ag(s)m while the Cl- becomes oxidized to Cl(aq)
- This reaction appears as if dark spots are appearing in the white powdery AgCl, as metal silver clumps are being formed.
- This reaction is used in photography, to make negatives.
- When a current is passed through water, the negative electrode (anode) attracts hydrogen, while the positive electrode (cathode) attracts oxygen, thus separating the two.
- The hydrogen and oxygen are created in a ratio of 1:2
- This reaction appears as bubbles forming around the electrodes, and water levels dropping in the test tubes. The test tube with the cathode will have half the amount of water left compared to the test tube with the anode
- The hydrogen and oxygen go to the top of the test tubes since they are less dense than water.
- This reaction is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen
- The hydrogen can be used in the production of ammonia
- The oxygen can be used in medicine to supply patients with oxygen
5.1 Physical and Chemical properties
Physical Properties | Chemical Properties |
Properties of a substance by itself | Property of a substance reacting with another chemical |
No new substance | New substances (at least one) |
Easy to reverse | Difficult to reverse |
Eg. Malleability, density, electrical conductivity | Eg. Reaction with oxygen, acids, alkalids |
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5.2 Physical properties for ionic, covalent molecular or covalent network compounds
Ionic compound | Covalent molecular compound | Covalent network compound |
Eg. NaCl, Na2SO4 | Eg. CO2, H2O, CH4 | Eg. SiO2, SiC, C |
Conduct electricity when molten or when aqueous if soluble due to having mobile ions in these states | Never conducts electricity since in never has mobile ions | Never conducts electricity since in never has mobile ions (except graphite) |
High MP, BP | Low MP, BP | Extremely high BP, MP |
Hard | Hard | Hard |
Solid at room temperature | Gas/ liquid at room temperature | Solid at room temperature |
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5.3 Metallic, ionic and covalent bonds
- Metallic bonds
- Occur in metals where they hold the positive metal ions together
- Metallic bond caused by the random motion of the delocalized outer-shell electrons of the metals atoms, and their attraction to the positive ions
- Ionic bonds
- Occur in ionic compounds where they hold positively charged metal ions together with negatively charged non-metal ions (or polyatomic ions)
- Ionic bonds are caused by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions
- Covalent bonds
- Occur in molecular compounds and in elements from Groups V, VI, VII and VIII, of the Periodic Table
- Covalent bonds occur in both small covalent molecules and large covalent networks
- Covalent bonds are caused by atoms sharing one or more pairs of electrons
- Metals are 3D lattices of ions in a sea of electrons
- Ionic compounds are 3D lattices of ions
Metallic bonding model Ionic bonding model
5.5 The empirical and molecular formula
- The empirical formula shows the simplest whole number ration of atoms or ions present in a compound
- Eg. For ionic compounds, NaCl does not mean that there is one Na ion and one Cl ion in the compound. It is an empirical formula which shows the ratio of Na ions to Cl ions, and not the number of ions in the compound
- Eg. Similarly for metals, Fe(s) does not mean there is only one Fe ion in the metallic structure.
- The molecular formula shows the number of atoms of the elements present in a molecule of the compound
- The molecular formula is used to describe compounds with covalent bonds.
- Monatomic molecules
- He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe
- Covalent molecules
- H2, O2, N2, F2, Cl2, Br2, I2,
- Covalent lattices
- SiC, SiO2, C
- Metallic
- Held together by metallic bonding caused by delocalized electrons
- Electrically conductive since they have free moving delocalized electrons
- Hard since the metallic bonds are difficult to break, yet they are malleable
- High MP and BP since metallic bonds are difficult to break
- NOT soluble since water does not break the metallic bonds
- Ionic compounds
- Held together by electrostatic forces
- Electrically conductive ONLY when molten or dissolved in water (if soluble) since it is only those states when ionic compounds have delocalized electrons
- Hard since ionic bonds are difficult to break, yet they are brittle
- High MP and BP since metallic bonds are difficult to break
- May be soluble (see solubility table)
- Covalent molecular
- Held together by intermolecular dispersion forces
- NEVER electrically conductive since it doesn’t have delocalized electrons
- Soft since intermolecular forces are weak
- Low MP and BP since intermolecular forces are weak
- Soluble
- Covalent network
- Held together by many strong covalent bonds
- NEVER electrically conductive since it doesn’t have delocalized electrons (except graphite which has delocalized electrons, and thus can conduct electricity)
- Hard due to strong covalent bonds, however still brittle
- V. high MP and BP due to strong covalent bonds which are difficult to break
- Never soluble
- Advantages
- They summarise what we know
- They are based on practical experiences
- Help us to visualize and understand ideas
- Help us understand the mechanisms of chemical reactions
- Can be used to make predictions and design further experiments in order to test the model
- Limitations
- Models are not facts. They are ideas and so they depend on how people interpret observations.
- Models may be based on incomplete or incorrect information. Models are developed at a certain time in history based on what is known at that time.
- New experimental discoveries often lead the model being modified
- Models may be simplifications designed to convey the main idea across, and not focus on the specific details.
- There are assumptions behind all models
- Models cannot describe various properties, such as strength of bonds, densities, etc.
8.3 Metals
1. Metals and Alloys
1.1 Metals through history
- Human history is closely linked to the use of metals
- The different ‘Ages’ in history after the Stone Age are named after main metals or alloys being extracted and used by people at that time. These ‘Ages’ were:
- Stone Age: Up to 3000 BC
- Copper Age: 3000 BC – 2500BC
- Bronze Age: 2500BC – 1000 BC
- Iron Age: 1000BC – 1800 AD
- Modern Metal Age: 1800AD to present
- Gold was the first metal used by ancient people for ornaments and decorations.
- It was mainly used because it looked good, was found uncombined in rocks, was malleable, and did not rust
- Copper was seen as valuable because it could be used for tools and weapons
- Copper compounds in rocks decomposed when the rocks were heated, to extract pure copper. However sometimes it was found uncombined naturally.
- As extraction methods improved, Iron was discovered, followed by Aluminium and Sodium.
- The use of different metals at various stages in history illustrates how technology and chemistry improve due to one-another.
- Alloys are mixtures of metals, which can be mixed in any proportion so they do not have a constant composition or chemical formula
- Properties of alloys vary with the composition
- Alloys are giant lattice structures of metal ions surrounded by a sea of delocalized electrons
- Alloys are held by strong metallic bonds
- Alloys are difficult to recycle since the metals are very hard to separate
- The composition of some common alloys are given in the following table
Name of alloy | Composition | Uses | Special Properties |
Stainless Steel | 80% iron, 18% chromium 2% nickel | Cutlery, sinks, machinery | Strong and resists corrosion |
Carbon Steel | 99% iron, 1% carbon | Bridges, scissors, car bodies | Extremely hard |
Brass | 65% copper, 35% zinc | Musical instruments | Hard, resists corrosion, attractive appearance |
Solder | 63% tin, 37% lead | Joining metal joints | Low melting point, easily worked |
Bronze | 85% copper, 15% tin | Statues, medals, weapons | Hard, resists corrosion, attractive appearance |
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Tungsten steel | 70-80% iron, 10-18% chromium, 1-8% nickel | Tools for cutting and grinding | Hard, even when heated |
Alnico | 62% iron, 21% nickel, 12% Al, 5% cobalt | Permanent magnets | Retains magnetism |
Zinc aluminium | 45% zinc, 55% Al | Coating to use for roofing and walls | Strong, resists corrosion |
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1.3 Energy input for extraction of metals
- Energy is needed to physically break up the ore and separate the mineral from the gangue
- It is also needed to chemically decompose the mineral to extract the metal
- The most active metals form the most stable bonds, thus they need the most energy to decompose them
- The easiest metal compounds to decompose (eg. Copper) can be decomposed by roasting with sand
- The next easiest (eg. Iron) can be decomposed by roasting with coke (carbon) in a furnace
- The most difficult (eg. Na and Al) are decomposed by electrolysis of molten compounds or aqueous solutions.
- Only a few metals such as gold, copper and silver occur in nature. Most metals occur as compounds in rocks
- Gangue is the unwanted waste of an ore after the mineral has been extracted
- Pollution can results from inappropriate disposal of this waste
- Rehabilitation is the process of returning mined areas to their original state
- Gangue is the unwanted waste of an ore after the mineral has been extracted
- The steps in extracting metal are:
- Mining the Ore
- Separating the mineral from the gangue using physical processes such as froth flotation, or chemical processes such as dissolving
- Extracting the metal by chemical processes such as roasting or electrolysis
- Al, Ti, Mg, and NA are examples of metals that were not available 200 years
- This is due to the lack of technology for separating such reactive metals
- Development of technological methods of separation have enable compounds such as Al2O3 to be separated, which cannot be decomposed by heat
- Cu2S + O2 → 2Cu + SO*2
- Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2
- The future of metals will probably be replaced with plastics and ceramics
2. Metals and reactions
2.1 Reactions with water, dilute acid, and oxygen
- Reaction with oxygen
- K, Na, Li, Ba, Ca react rapidly at room temperature
- Burn to form white powder
- Mg, Al, Zn, Fe react slowly at room temperature but burn vigorously of heated, since the reactions reach their activation energies much faster
- Sn, Pb, Cu react extremely slowly and only when heated.
- The resulting metals oxides have none of the physical properties of the original metal
- Eg. 4K(s) + O2 (g) → 2K2O(s)
- K, Na, Li, Ba, Ca react rapidly at room temperature
- Reaction with water
- K, Na, Li, Ba, Ca react with water at room temperature
- Exothermic reaction producing bubbles
- Mg, Al, Zn, Fe react with steam at elevated temperatures, in order to reach their activation energies
- Sn, Pb, Cu, Ag, Pt, Au do not react at all
- These reactions displace the hydrogen gas to create metal oxides
- Eg. 2K(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2KOH(aq) + H2 (g)
- K, Na, Li, Ba, Ca react with water at room temperature
- Reaction with dilute acids
- Acids are substances which can donate H+ ions
- All metals except Cu and under react with dilute acids to produce hydrogen gas.
- The reactive metals produce vigorous bubbling, with the metal dissolving almost instantly
- The medium reactive metals have a much slower reaction, but still produce bubbles.
- Eg. 2K(s) + 2HCl(aq) → 2KCl(aq) + H2 (g)
- By observing the reactions of metals in water, oxygen, and dilute acid, a list can be drawn up depicting the metals in order of decreasing reactivity.
- This list is known as the activity series
- The activity series is:
- K, Na, Li, Ba, Ca, Mg, Al, Zn, Fe, Sn, Pb, Cu, Ag, Pt, Au
- This can be easily remembered by
- Knalibacam Galzn Fesnpb, Cuagaupt
- The lower the metal in the activity series, the more likely it will be found as an uncombined element
- The order of metals discovered is approximately the same order as least reactive metal to the most reactive metal.
2.3 Electron transfer in reactions
- Neutral species equations show the actual chemical substances used in the reaction
- Complete net ionic equations show all the ions involved in the reaction
- Net ionic equations show the actual ionic species that undergo change in the reaction, ignoring spectator ions (ions which do not undergo any change during a reaction
- Eg. Zn(s) + 2HCl(aq) → ZnCl2 (aq) + H2 (g) ……… Neutral Species Equation
Zn(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq) + H2 (g)* …….. Complete ionic equation
Zn(s) + 2H+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + H2 (g) ……… Net ionic equation
- Oxidation and Reduction
- When an atom loses electrons, it is oxidized.
- The oxidized atom is the reducing agent
- When an atom gains electrons, it is reduced.
- The reducing atom is the oxidizing agent
- OILRIG – Oxidation Is Loss Reduction Is Gain
- Since oxidation and reduction occur at the same time, the reaction is called a redox reaction.
- Redox reactions are net movement of electrons from one reactant to another. The movement of electrons occurs from the reactant with less electronegativity to the reactant with more electronegativity
- Half reactions (half equations) are reactions which describe the oxidation and reduction terms separately in terms of electrons lost or gained.
- Example Reactions
- Mg burning in O
- Oxidation: 2Mg → 2Mg2+ + 4e-
- Reduction: O2 + 4e- → 2O2-
- Main reaction: 2Mg + O*2 → 2MgO
- Zn reacting with HCl
- Oxidation: Zn → Zn2+ + 2e-
- Reduction: 2H+ + 2e- → H2
- Main Reaction: Zn + 2HCl → ZnCl2 + H2
- Aluminium reacting with HCl
- Oxidation: Al → Al3+ + 3e-
- 2Al → 2Al3+ + 6e-
- Oxidation: Al → Al3+ + 3e-
- Mg burning in O
- When an atom loses electrons, it is oxidized.
- Reduction: 2H+ + 2e- → H2
- 6H+ + 6e- → 3H2
- Main reaction: 2Al + 6HCl → 2AlCl3 + 3H2
- During the reaction between metals and dilute acids, electrons are transferred from the metal to the acid
- This reaction is an electron transfer reaction
- When a metal gives up electrons, it becomes a positive ion
- When acid gains an electron, its hydrogen ions become hydrogen atoms which then form molecules of hydrogen gas
Name of metal | Use | Reason for choice |
Silver | Silver salts are used in photography | Silver is unreactive, thus its compounds are relatively unstable. Thus they decompose in light releasing silver which darkens the film |
Lead | Lead is used in batteries and in solder | Lead is a relatively unreactive metal so it has a low corrosion rate |
Magnesium | Used in sacrificial anodes to slow the rate of corrosion of the metal in boats. | It’s a reactive metal, thus it reacts in preference to iron or aluminium used in boat building |
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2.5 Relative activity and the Periodic Table
- Metal reactivity decreases across a period
- Eg. An element in Group I is more reactive than a metal in Group III of the same period
- This is because as you move across a period, the number of electrons in the outer shell increase, causing the atomic radius to become smaller due to the increased attraction between the nucleus and the electrons in the outer shell. Because of this greater attraction force, it is harder for the metal to lose its electrons, thus making it less reactive.
- Metal reactivity increases down a group
- Eg. An element in period 4 be more reactive an element in a period above it in the same group
- This is because as you move down a group, the radius the atom becomes larger, thus the attraction force between the metal’s nucleus and its outer electrons is reduced. Because of the lesser reaction force, electrons are lost more easily, thus making the metal more reactive.
2.6 The first ionization energy
- The ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from the atom of an element in the gas state.
- The first ionization energy is the energy required to move one electron from an atom
- Trend of ionization energy
- As you move across a period, ionization energy generally increases. This is because the number of electrons in the outer shell increases, thus the atomic radii reduces and the attraction force between the electrons and the nucleus is greater. Due to this greater attraction force, a larger amount of energy is needed to remove an electron. However the exceptions in this general trend are caused by electrons entering the p-subshell at Groups III and VI
- As you move down a group, ionization energy generally decreases. This is because the number of electrons in the outer shell stays the same, yet the atomic radius becomes much larger due to another shell being added on. Thus the attraction force between the nucleus and the outer electrons reduces due the increased distance. Due to this reduced attraction force; a smaller amount of energy would be required to remove an electron.
- Metal + acid → salt + hydrogen
- Metal + water → hydroxide + hydrogen
- Metal + oxygen → metal oxide
3. The Periodic Table