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The figure of Eros standing in Piccadilly Circus in London since 1893, and shown in the photograph, is made of aluminium metal - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question B - 2019
Question B
The figure of Eros standing in Piccadilly Circus in London since 1893, and shown in the photograph, is made of aluminium metal. (i) Explain the term corrosion of a ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The figure of Eros standing in Piccadilly Circus in London since 1893, and shown in the photograph, is made of aluminium metal - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question B - 2019
Step 1
Explain the term corrosion of a metal.
Answer
Corrosion is the process through which a metal deteriorates due to chemical reactions with its environment. Specifically, it involves the oxidation of the metal surface when exposed to air, moisture, or corrosive substances such as acids. This typically leads to the formation of rust in the case of iron, which is an oxide layer that compromises the integrity of the metal.
Step 2
How well do you think the figure of Eros would have resisted corrosion if it had been made of iron instead of aluminium?
Answer
If the figure of Eros had been made of iron, it would have suffered from corrosion more readily than aluminium. Iron is prone to rusting when exposed to moisture and oxygen, leading to the formation of iron oxide, which weakens the structure. In contrast, aluminium forms a protective layer of aluminium oxide that prevents further corrosion, making it relatively more resistant to harsh environmental conditions.
Step 3
How is iron extracted from its ores?
Answer
Iron is typically extracted from its ores in a blast furnace. The extraction process involves two main steps: reduction and smelting. Firstly, iron ore (mainly iron oxide) is mixed with coke (carbon) and heated. During this process, carbon acts as a reducing agent, removing oxygen from the iron oxide to produce molten iron. The overall reaction can be simplified as follows:
ightarrow 2 ext{Fe} + 3 ext{CO}$$ The resulting iron is then tapped from the furnace for further processing.Step 4
Why is the recycling of aluminium strongly recommended?
Answer
Recycling of aluminium is strongly recommended for several reasons. Firstly, it is very costly to extract aluminium from its ores, as it requires a significant amount of electricity and energy. Recycling aluminium, on the other hand, uses only about 5% of the energy needed in initial extraction, making it economical. Furthermore, recycling is environmentally friendly as it reduces waste and conserves natural resources by minimizing the need for new bauxite mining, thus helping to avoid red mud production.