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
121–128 of 128
Question 121
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 122
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 123
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 124
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 125
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.
Question 126
7 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →Iron is an important metal, widely used in construction and engineering. It is extracted from its ore, haematite, in the blast furnace.
(a)[1 mark]State what is meant by an ore.
(b)[2 marks]Explain why iron can be extracted from its oxide by heating with carbon, but aluminium cannot be extracted from its oxide by heating with carbon.
(c)[2 marks]Write a balanced chemical equation for the extraction of iron from iron(III) oxide using carbon monoxide as the reducing agent.
(d)[2 marks]Describe, in terms of redox, what happens to iron(III) oxide in the blast furnace when it reacts with carbon monoxide.
Question 127
8 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →Zinc and iron are both important metals found in the Earth's crust, but they are extracted by slightly different methods due to their positions in the reactivity series.
(a)[2 marks]Define the term 'ore' and name a metal often found native (uncombined) in the Earth's crust.
(b)[2 marks]Explain why zinc and iron can both be extracted from their oxides by heating with carbon, but aluminium cannot.
(c)[2 marks]Write a balanced equation for the reduction of iron(III) oxide using carbon monoxide in the blast furnace.
(d)[2 marks]State one economic factor that affects the choice of extraction method for a metal and explain why it is important.
Question 128
7 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →The metal iron is widely used in construction and manufacturing. Iron is typically extracted from its ore, haematite, which contains iron(III) oxide.
(a)[1 mark]State what is meant by the term "ore".
(b)[2 marks]Iron is found below carbon in the reactivity series.
Explain why carbon can be used to extract iron from its oxide, but cannot be used to extract aluminium from aluminium oxide.
(c)[2 marks]Write a balanced chemical equation for the reduction of iron(III) oxide with carbon monoxide.
(d)[2 marks]Suggest one economic reason why extraction by heating with carbon is preferred for some metals rather than extraction by electrolysis.