quntmphys238 is correct, but there is one more thing that is important for you to know:
Where to the metals come from? (From ore in the ground).
What is ore? (Dirt with the right kind of metal you're looking for).
It turns out that ALL ore is composed of a METAL bonded to at least one oxygen, sulfur, or halogen atom. Even *ordinary dirt* is composed of a metal and at least one other atom.
The trick is: how to separate the metal from the other atom(s)? This is done chemically, in a number of different ways.
So, to answer your question, the metals are chemically separated from the ore.
The process used for steel is quite different than for aluminum. Aluminum is such a strong oxide former, that only a chemical process with a strong electrical assist will have enough energy to break the aluminum-oxygen bond (Hall process)
The iron-oxygen bond is not as strong, so chemical methods without electricity can be used.
The field of study for the separation of metals from ores is called "extractive metallurgy", so if you are searching for information, try those keywords too! The link below will give you a detailed answer how each metal is chemically extracted from the ore.
2006-07-22 18:51:48
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answer #1
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answered by jimdempster 4
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Iron, aluminum, platinum, tin, and zinc are all naturally occurring elements. They are mined and processed from earth.
Steel is a manufactured alloy from iron and other metals. Search for sites that expalin the steel industry and they should provide exact descriptions on what metals and additives are used for what grades of steel.
2006-07-22 15:54:58
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answer #2
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answered by quntmphys238 6
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This is A very good question you can look it up on line.
In short they are all mettle, only platinum (like Gold)may be occurring in small quantity in native form.
All other are refined from various oars( mixture or compounds containing the Mattel). Some of them are recycled from junk ( e.g. aluminium and steel).
Most metals can be recycled, takes lot of equipment and know-how but it is readily available.
At your library you can look up books on any Mattel or a book on basic chemistry or introduction to chemistry, it will have this information.
2006-07-22 15:21:10
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answer #3
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answered by minootoo 7
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