extraction of metals

• How are unreactive metals like gold found in the Earth?

  As a metal itself
• Why can gold be found as nuggets in the Earth?

  Gold does not easily react with other elements
• What is the challenge in extracting metals from compounds?

  How to extract the metal from compounds
• What does a more reactive element do to a less reactive element in a compound?

  It displaces the less reactive element
• What is the reactivity series?

  A list of elements ordered by reactivity
• What can any element more reactive than iron do?

  Displace iron from its compounds
• What happens when magnesium reacts with iron oxide?

  Magnesium removes oxygen from iron
• What is reduction in terms of oxygen?

  Loss of oxygen from an atom
• What happens to magnesium atoms in the reaction with iron oxide?

  They are oxidized as they gain oxygen
• What is the role of carbon in metal extraction?

  It is used to reduce metal oxides
• What is produced when carbon reacts with iron oxide?

  Carbon dioxide and iron
• What can be inferred about the reactions in a blast furnace?

  They are more complicated than shown
• Why can't zinc reduce calcium?

  Zinc is less reactive than calcium