Extraction of Elements

Extraction of Elements:- we have learnt that most of the elements do not occur in the free state in nature but these occur in the combined states. In the combined states, metals are usually found in the oxidized form, while non-metals occur in the reduced form such as halide ions. Therefore, the methods of extraction of metals and non metals from the natural sources are quite different. The metals can be obtained from their oxidized forms by reduction and non metals can be obtained by oxidation. In general, oxidation or carried out by deelectronation i.e. removing electron directly or indirectly. On the other hand, reduction is carried out by electronation i.e. by providing electron directly or indirectly.