How is metal extracted from ore?

Question

More specifically, how did early humans extract metals from ore w/o modern technology?

I asked jeeves but he is being a stingy bastard today.......

Are you saying that if i threw a rock containing ore in it and heated it, I would be able to separate the two? Its that simple?

So you are saying I could not perform this operation on a conventional stove?

Answer 1

Usually through a process called smelting, whereby the ore is first crushed, then put into a large crucible (think a big pot) then heated until the metal separates from the impurities in the ore. The metal is much denser than rock, so the impurities can be poured off or otherwise removed. There are also some chemical processes for separating the two depending on the type of ore.

Answer 2

There are 2 techniques. Any technique will only be a replace. In both techniques, you need to first split the ore. then you are able to both react it with reducing brokers that are better reactive than the metallic contained in the ore. Or, you should use electrolysis to diminish the metallic. After that, you need to deliver jointly and procedure the metallic. the actual recommendations variety, yet an exciting one making use of both electrolysis and chemical techniques is aluminum. only google aluminum relief.

Answer 3

The ore is heated in a ceramic pot with coke (a form of carbon). The impurities bind to the coke, and form what is called 'slag', whereas the chunk of purified metal is called 'bloom'. As the previous respondent already stated, the process is called smelting.