Metals below carbon in the reactivity series

2 marks · Normal

State the process used to extract iron from its oxide and name the main reducing agent in this extraction.

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Extraction by heating with carbon; main reducing agent is carbon monoxide (CO).

Also accept: extraction by heating with coke; carbon monoxide

Common mistakes: naming carbon (solid) instead of carbon monoxide for reducing agent

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Marking points

B1 · 1 mark · States iron is extracted by heating iron oxide with carbon (or coke).

B2 · 1 mark · Names carbon monoxide as the main reducing agent.

Worked solution

Iron is extracted from its ore by heating with carbon.

The main reducing agent in the extraction is carbon monoxide (CO).