Extracting metals from their ores
4 marks · NormalLead 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.
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(a) As a compound, because lead is reactive enough to combine with other elements in the crust.
(b) Reduction with carbon.
(c) Silver is very unreactive, so it can be found as the native metal.
(d) It is a good conductor of electricity. (Accept: resists corrosion, is dense, is malleable.)
Common mistakes: Saying lead is found as native metal; Incorrect extraction method
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Marking points
B1 (a) · 1 mark · States lead is found as a compound with reason linked to reactivity.
B1 (b) · 1 mark · Names reduction with carbon as extraction method.
B1 (c) · 1 mark · Links silver's native occurrence to its low reactivity.
B1 (d) · 1 mark · Gives a valid property of lead for battery use (e.g., conducts electricity, resists corrosion).
Worked solution
a) Lead is found as a compound, as it is reactive enough to form compounds in the crust.
b) Extracted by reduction with carbon.
c) Silver is very unreactive, so it can be found as the native metal.
d) Lead is a good conductor of electricity (accept: resists corrosion).