Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · CHEMISTRY · Chapter
Extraction and Uses of Metals
128 practice questions
Topics covered
- Extracting metals from their ores19 practice questions
- Metals below carbon in the reactivity series19 practice questions
- Metals above carbon in the reactivity series18 practice questions
- Properties and uses of some metals19 practice questions
- Uses of aluminium19 practice questions
- Properties and uses of different kinds of steel20 practice questions
Practice questions
51–57 of 57 · Normal
Question 51
6 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Metals such as aluminium and sodium are found above carbon in the reactivity series. Aluminium is a widely used metal in the modern world.
(a)[2 marks]Explain why aluminium cannot be extracted from its ore by heating it with carbon.
(b)[2 marks]State and explain one property of aluminium that makes it suitable for use in overhead electricity cables.
(c)[2 marks]Copper is also used in electricity cables. Compare one property of copper with aluminium that affects its use in cables.
Question 52
6 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Aluminium is a metal that is extracted from its ore using electrolysis. Aluminium alloys are used for many applications due to their improved properties compared to pure aluminium.
(a)[2 marks]Explain why aluminium is extracted by electrolysis and not by reduction with carbon.
(b)Aluminium objects are usually made from alloys instead of pure aluminium.
(i)[1 mark]Define the term 'alloy'.
(ii)[3 marks]Explain, using ideas about the arrangement of atoms, why alloys are harder than pure metals. You may use a labelled diagram or clear description in your answer.
Question 53
6 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Metals above carbon in the reactivity series cannot be extracted by carbon reduction. Some, like titanium, are extracted using a more reactive metal, such as magnesium.
(a)[2 marks]Explain, in terms of reactivity, why magnesium can be used to extract titanium from its oxide, but carbon cannot.
(b)Steel is an alloy made from iron and carbon.
(i)[1 mark]Define the term alloy.
(ii)[3 marks]Describe why alloys such as steel are usually harder than pure iron. You may draw a labelled diagram to support your answer.
Question 54
6 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Aluminium is an important metal that is mainly obtained from its ore using electrolysis. Aluminium alloys are used in many products because of their useful properties.
(a)[3 marks]Explain how aluminium is extracted from aluminium oxide using electrolysis. Include details of the role of cryolite and what happens at the electrodes.
(b)[1 mark]Define what an alloy is.
(c)[2 marks]Explain why alloys such as aluminium alloys are harder than pure aluminium.
Question 55
6 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Aluminium and iron are both important industrial metals but are extracted by different methods. The table below gives some data about their extraction processes:
Data for Aluminium and Iron Extraction Metal Extraction Method Relative Energy Needed (arbitrary units per tonne metal) Aluminium Electrolysis of Al2O3 (in cryolite) 35 Iron Reduction of Fe2O3 in a blast furnace (with carbon) 6 (a)[2 marks]Use the data to calculate how many times more energy is needed to extract 1 tonne of aluminium by electrolysis than to extract 1 tonne of iron by reduction with carbon.
(b)[2 marks]Explain, in terms of the reactivity series, why aluminium is extracted by electrolysis and not by reduction with carbon like iron.
(c)[1 mark]Give one reason, based on its physical properties, why aluminium is used for electricity cables instead of iron.
(d)[1 mark]Aluminium is often alloyed for use in cables. Explain why alloys are used instead of pure metals for this purpose.
Question 56
6 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Titanium is a metal above carbon in the reactivity series. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Use your knowledge of methods of extraction and metals to answer the following questions.
(a)[2 marks]Describe how titanium can be extracted from its compound when it cannot be reduced by carbon.
(b)Brass is harder than pure copper.
(i)[1 mark]State what is meant by the term "alloy."
(ii)[3 marks]Explain why alloys such as brass are usually harder than pure metals.
Question 57
6 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Aluminium is a widely used metal found above carbon in the reactivity series.
(a)[2 marks]Explain why aluminium cannot be extracted from its oxide by reacting it with carbon.
(b)[1 mark]State ONE important property of aluminium that makes it suitable for use in overhead electricity cables.
(c)[1 mark]Explain how this property benefits its use in the cables.
(d)[1 mark]Aluminium is usually used as an alloy for practical applications. Give ONE reason why pure aluminium is rarely used.
(e)[1 mark]Explain, in terms of atomic structure, why alloys of aluminium are harder than pure aluminium.