Metals above carbon in the reactivity series
5 marks · HardState the position of aluminium and carbon in the reactivity series.
Describe what happens when carbon is heated with aluminium oxide.
Explain, in terms of the reactivity series, why aluminium cannot be extracted from aluminium oxide by heating with carbon.
Work this out on paper, then compare with the answer and worked solution below. With a free account you can submit written answers for marking.
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(a) Aluminium is above carbon in the reactivity series.
(b) No reaction occurs; carbon cannot remove oxygen from aluminium oxide.
(c) Aluminium is more reactive than carbon, so carbon is not able to reduce aluminium oxide.
Common mistakes: Confusing the positions of aluminium and carbon; Incorrectly assuming carbon can reduce aluminium oxide; Omitting reference to relative reactivity
Show mark scheme and worked solution
Marking points
B1 (a) · 1 mark · States or indicates that aluminium is above carbon in the reactivity series.
B2 (b) · 1 mark · States that no reaction (or reduction) occurs when carbon is heated with aluminium oxide.
B3 (b) · 1 mark · Recognises carbon cannot reduce aluminium oxide or cannot remove oxygen from it.
B4 (c) · 1 mark · States that aluminium is more reactive than carbon.
B5 (c) · 1 mark · Explains so carbon cannot reduce aluminium oxide (cannot displace / remove its oxygen).
Worked solution
(a) Aluminium is above carbon in the reactivity series.
(b) No reaction takes place when carbon is heated with aluminium oxide because carbon is not reactive enough to remove oxygen.
(c) Aluminium is more reactive than carbon, so carbon cannot reduce aluminium oxide to aluminium.