Extracting Metals (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry)

Extraction of metals and the reactivity series

• The most reactive metals are at the top of the series
• The tendency to become oxidised is thus linked to how reactive a metal is and therefore its position on the reactivity series
• Metals higher up are therefore less resistant to oxidation than the metals placed lower down which are more resistant to oxidation
• The position of the metal on the reactivity series determines the method of extraction
• Higher placed metals (above carbon) have to be extracted using electrolysis as they are too reactive and cannot be reduced by carbon
• Lower placed metals can be extracted by heating with carbon which reduces them

Metals Extraction Method Table

The extraction method depends on the position of a metal in the reactivity series