2.1.2 Extraction of Metals

• The reactivity series of metals ranks metals by their tendency to lose electrons
• A more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal in a compound
• Highly reactive metals are extracted using electrolysis
• Very low reactive metals like gold are often found in native form.


  True
• Arrange the following metals in order of decreasing reactivity:

  1️⃣ Potassium

  2️⃣ Sodium

  3️⃣ Calcium

  4️⃣ Magnesium

  5️⃣ Aluminium

  6️⃣ Zinc

  7️⃣ Iron
• The reactivity series is useful for predicting chemical reactions.

  True
• Write the chemical reaction for the reduction of iron oxide with carbon monoxide.

  Fe₂O₃(s) + 3CO(g) → 2Fe(s) + 3CO₂(g)
• Provide an example of a displacement reaction using zinc and copper sulfate.

  Zn(s) + CuSO₄(aq) → ZnSO₄(aq) + Cu(s)
• The extraction of iron involves reduction with carbon.


  True
• Match the metal reactivity with its extraction method:

  High reactivity ↔️ Electrolysis

  Moderate reactivity ↔️ Reduction with carbon

  Very low reactivity ↔️ Physical separation
• Metals with very low reactivity are extracted by physical separation
• Which metals are commonly extracted using electrolysis?

  Sodium and potassium
• What is the reactivity series of metals based on?

  Their tendency to lose electrons
• What happens in a displacement reaction?

  A more reactive metal replaces a less reactive metal
• What is an example of an electrolysis reaction for highly reactive metals?

  $2NaCl(l) \rightarrow 2Na(s) +$$Cl_{2}(g)$
• Which metal in the reactivity series has the highest reactivity?

  Potassium
• Write the chemical reaction for the displacement of copper by zinc in copper sulfate.

  Zn(s) + CuSO4(aq) → ZnSO4(aq) + Cu(s)
• Write the chemical reaction for the electrolysis of sodium chloride.

  2NaCl(l) → 2Na(s) + Cl₂(g)
• Match the metal with its extraction method:

  Sodium ↔️ Electrolysis

  Iron ↔️ Reduction with Carbon

  Gold ↔️ Physical Separation
• Which metal is extracted using electrolysis?

  Sodium
• What influences the method used to extract a metal from its ore?

  Metal reactivity
• The reactivity of a metal influences its extraction method
• Very low reactive metals like gold are extracted by physical separation
• Which metals are typically extracted using electrolysis?

  Sodium and potassium
• Order the steps involved in predicting displacement reactions using the reactivity series:

  1️⃣ Identify the metals in the reaction

  2️⃣ Refer to the reactivity series

  3️⃣ Determine which metal is more reactive

  4️⃣ Predict if a displacement reaction will occur
• The carbon reduction method requires high temperature reaction conditions
• Chlorine gas is produced at the cathode during the electrolysis of sodium chloride.

  False
• Potassium is the most reactive metal in the reactivity series
• Arrange the following metals in order of their reactivity, from most reactive to least reactive:

  1️⃣ Potassium

  2️⃣ Sodium

  3️⃣ Calcium

  4️⃣ Magnesium

  5️⃣ Aluminium

  6️⃣ Zinc

  7️⃣ Iron
• Zinc reacts with copper sulfate to form zinc sulfate and copper
• What influences the method used to extract a metal from its ore?

  The reactivity of the metal
• Iron oxide reacts with carbon monoxide to form iron and carbon dioxide
• Carbon, in the form of coke, acts as a reducing agent in metal extraction.
• Electrolysis is suitable for extracting highly reactive metals from their ores.


  True
• In the electrolysis of sodium chloride, chloride ions move to the anode.
• Iron is extracted by reduction with carbon.


  True
• What is used as a reducing agent in the carbon reduction method?

  Carbon
• Iron oxide reacts with carbon to produce iron and carbon dioxide.


  True
• What does the reactivity series of metals rank metals by?

  Tendency to lose electrons
• Zinc can displace copper from copper sulfate.


  True