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Comparison of the processing of copper and zinc

Copper has been mined and used by humans for over 5,000 years. It’s physical properties, most notably conductivity, make the metal invaluable to modern industry. There are, however, numerous differences between aluminium and copper and their refining processes.

Copper, with a standard reduction potential of 0.15V is a less reactive metal than aluminium, which has a standard reduction potential of –1.66V. Aluminium is thus more readily oxidized and reacts more easily with substances than copper. (Redox Booklet). Because aluminium reacts easily, it is always found naturally in compounds and requires extensive refining to extract. This could account for the relatively late discovery of aluminium – Hans Christian Oersted, a Danish chemist and physicist, discovered the first aluminium in 1825. To extract pure aluminium, alumina needs to be electrolytically ref...

Posted by: Jason Pinsky

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