Metals above carbon in the reactivity series
1 mark · EasyState why magnesium cannot be extracted from its oxide by reduction with carbon.
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Because magnesium is more reactive than carbon, so carbon cannot remove the oxygen from magnesium oxide.
Also accept: Magnesium is above carbon in the reactivity series so carbon cannot reduce magnesium oxide.; Because magnesium is more reactive than carbon and cannot be displaced by it.
Common mistakes: Because magnesium reacts with carbon.; Because carbon is less reactive than magnesium (without saying cannot reduce magnesium oxide).
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Marking points
B1 · 1 mark · States that magnesium is more reactive than carbon, so carbon cannot reduce magnesium oxide (or cannot remove oxygen from it).
Worked solution
Magnesium is more reactive than carbon, so carbon cannot remove oxygen from magnesium oxide by reduction.