answersLogoWhite

0

Earth has a strongly oxidizing atmosphere. Combine that with water which can contain acids and other solutes and it becomes difficult for a metal to remain in its elemental state for long periods of time. A mass of metal may be buried for millions if not billions of years.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Chemistry

What is the difference between ores and native metals?

Ores are naturally occurring minerals that contain metal compounds that must be extracted, while native metals are metals that exist in their pure form in nature. Ores require processing to extract the metal, while native metals can be found in their metallic form without the need for extraction.


Are all metals found in ores?

"No, gold, silver, and platinum are some of the metals which are not ores". Yes, these metals do occur as nuggets of native element, and are dredged, or panned from stream, and river sediments, but there are many sulfides, and oxides of these, and other metals as well. These oxides, and sulfides are the Ore Minerals sought after by prospectors, and mined from in sittu Hard Rock Deposits.


Why are metals that have a high reactivity more expensive to react?

Metals with high reactivity are more expensive to extract because they require more energy-intensive processes to separate them from their ores. Additionally, these metals are often found in fewer quantities in nature, making their extraction and purification more costly.


Rocks that contain a metal oxide are called ores true or false?

False because an ore is any rock that contians any metal... Best Wishes, Shady Qubaty


Is silver found in pure form?

Silver is rarely found in pure form in nature. It is usually found combined with other elements, such as sulfur or arsenic, in ores like argentite or horn silver. The majority of silver extraction is done through mining and processing these ores to obtain pure silver.

Related Questions

Are metals are found in rocks called ores?

Yes metals are found in rocks called ores. Most metals are more reactive and are found combined with other elements in rocks.


Where are most metals found?

Metals are usually found in the Earth's crust, in the form of ores.


What is the difference between ores and native metals?

Ores are naturally occurring minerals that contain metal compounds that must be extracted, while native metals are metals that exist in their pure form in nature. Ores require processing to extract the metal, while native metals can be found in their metallic form without the need for extraction.


Are all metals found in ores?

"No, gold, silver, and platinum are some of the metals which are not ores". Yes, these metals do occur as nuggets of native element, and are dredged, or panned from stream, and river sediments, but there are many sulfides, and oxides of these, and other metals as well. These oxides, and sulfides are the Ore Minerals sought after by prospectors, and mined from in sittu Hard Rock Deposits.


Do metals only come fron ores?

Yes, metals do only come from ores and pure metals also are found in the Earth's crust.


Are transition metals often found in ores?

Quick and simple answer is that metals are solid and therefore are affected by the gravity of the Earth more than gases. Therefore gases are in the air and solids are on the surface or under the surface of the Earth.


Do alkali earth metals occur freely in nature?

No- they are too reactive and thus always found in componds and mixtures


Are metals found in the ground?

Yes, metals like iron, copper, and gold are found in the ground as part of ores. These metal ores are mined and then processed to extract the pure metal for various industrial applications.


Which metal ores are found naturally?

unreactive metals, such as gold


Which metals are not found in ores?

There are a lot more than five. For example, all the alkali and alkaline earth metals are not found naturally in pure form but occur only in compounds. It's actually unusual for a metal to exist in pure form in nature; most of them occur only in compounds.


Which metals are so reactive that they are never found as uncombined elements in nature?

The most reactive metals, such as alkali metals (like lithium, sodium, and potassium) and alkaline earth metals (like magnesium and calcium), are never found as uncombined elements in nature. Due to their high reactivity, they readily react with water, air, or other substances, forming compounds rather than existing in their elemental form. Consequently, they are typically found in mineral ores or combined with other elements.


Fairly reactive metals found as ores?

Sodium, magnesium, and aluminum are examples of fairly reactive metals that are commonly found as ores in the Earth's crust. These metals can be extracted from their ores through processes such as electrolysis or chemical reactions.