The process of obtaining metals from their compounds involves reduction, where metal oxides are reduced to their elemental form. This process is a chemical reaction involving the transfer of electrons, which is characteristic of reduction reactions.
How does the process of obtaining metals from their compounds relate to oxidation and reduction?
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The process of obtaining metals from their compounds involves oxidation and reduction reactions. Metal ores, often oxides or sulfides, undergo reduction to extract the metal. Reduction is the gain of electrons, and during this process, the metal cations in the ore gain electrons to form the elemental metal. Simultaneously, another substance, often carbon or another reducing agent, undergoes oxidation by losing electrons, facilitating the reduction of the metal compound. The overall process is a redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction, where one substance is reduced (metal ions gain electrons) while another is oxidized (reducing agent loses electrons).