Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · CHEMISTRY · Section
Extracting metals from their ores
19 practice questions
Practice questions
1–8 of 8 · Normal
Question 1
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State the meaning of:
(a)[1 mark]An ore.
(b)[1 mark]A native metal.
Question 2
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The list shows three metals in order of reactivity:
Gold Iron Aluminium
(a)[1 mark]Which metal is most likely to be found in the Earth's crust as the uncombined element? Explain your answer.
(b)[1 mark]State one common ore of iron.
(c)[1 mark]Describe the method used to extract iron from its ore.
(d)[1 mark]Explain why aluminium must be extracted by a different method than iron.
Question 3
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain, using the reactivity series, why gold can be found as a pure metal in the Earth's crust but magnesium cannot.
Question 4
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The table shows four metals and how each is extracted from its ore.
Metal Extraction Method Gold Found uncombined Iron Reduction with carbon Aluminium Electrolysis Copper Roasting ore then reduction Use the information in the table to answer the questions.
(a)[1 mark]Which of the four metals is the most reactive? Explain your choice.
(b)[1 mark]Which metal in the table is least likely to be found as an ore? Give a reason.
(c)[2 marks]Suggest why reduction with carbon is suitable for some but not all metals.
Question 5
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which statement correctly explains why aluminium is extracted from its ore by electrolysis?
- A.Aluminium is less reactive than carbon.
- B.Aluminium is more reactive than carbon.
- C.Aluminium is found native in the Earth's crust.
- D.Aluminium reacts with oxygen to form an oxide.
Question 6
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State two differences between extracting iron and extracting gold from the Earth's crust.
Question 7
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Lead is less reactive than carbon but more reactive than silver.
a) Would you expect to find lead in the Earth's crust as the metal or as a compound? Explain your answer.
b) Name the method used to extract lead from its ore.
c) Silver is sometimes found native. State a reason, linked to its position in the reactivity series.
d) Name one property of lead that makes it useful for car batteries.
(a)[1 mark](b)[1 mark](c)[1 mark](d)[1 mark]Question 8
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The diagram below shows a section of the reactivity series for four metals, with their possible methods of extraction:
Metal Part of Reactivity Series (Rank: 1 = most reactive) Method used to extract from ore Potassium 1 Magnesium 3 Zinc 6 Silver 10 Metals above carbon in the reactivity series are usually extracted by electrolysis, metals below carbon but above hydrogen can be extracted by reduction with carbon, and very unreactive metals may be found as the element.
Complete the table by writing the likely method of extraction for each metal. Choose from: electrolysis, reduction with carbon, or found native.
Write your answers clearly in your answer booklet in the same order as the metals listed.