Extracting metals from their ores
3 marks · EasyThe table gives the order of some metals in the reactivity series and their methods of extraction.
State why gold can be found as a pure metal in the Earth's crust.
Name the method used to extract aluminium from its ore.
Explain why aluminium requires this method.
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Show answer
(a) Gold is very unreactive, so it is found as the pure metal / native metal.
(b) Electrolysis
(c) Aluminium is more reactive than carbon so cannot be reduced by carbon.
Show mark scheme and worked solution
Marking points
B1 (a) · 1 mark · States gold is very unreactive / found native / found as pure metal.
B1 (b) · 1 mark · Names the method as electrolysis.
B1 (c) · 1 mark · Explains aluminium is more reactive than carbon and cannot be reduced by carbon.
Worked solution
a) Gold is very unreactive, so it can be found as a pure metal in the Earth's crust.
b) Aluminium is extracted by electrolysis.
c) Aluminium is more reactive than carbon, so it cannot be extracted by reduction with carbon.