Extraction of Metals

Question 1
Some metals are unreactive and exist on their own in the earth.
What are these metals known as?
A. Transition Metals
B. Native metals
C. Alkali Metals
D. Alkaline earth metals
[1 mark]

Question 2
Many metals can be extracted from their ores by heating the metal oxide with carbon.
Which of these metals can’t be extracted using carbon?
A. Zinc
B. Copper
C. Aluminium
D. Iron
[1 mark]
Question 3
The blast furnace is used to extract iron from haematite.

The haematite contains silica as an impurity

What is used to react with the impurity and remove it?
A. Carbon
B. Calcium oxide
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Oxygen
[1 mark]
Question 4
Iron is extracted from hematite, Fe2O3, in a blast furnace. Limestone is also added to the furnace.
What is the purpose of the limestone?
A. To remove impurities from the iron ore
B. To heat up the blast furnace
C. To reduce the hematite
D. To neutralise acidic gases
[1 mark]

Question 5
Which of the following metals can not be extracted from its ore by reduction?
A. Iron
B. Zinc
C. Copper
D. Lithium
[1 mark]
Question 1
In a blast furnace, iron (III) oxide is converted into iron and carbon monoxide is converted into carbon dioxide, as shown in the
equation:
Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2 Fe + 3 CO2
What happens to each of these reactants?
A. Iron (III) oxide is reduced and carbon monoxide is oxidised.
B. Iron (III) oxide is oxidised and carbon monoxide is reduced.
C. Both iron (III) oxide and carbon monoxide are oxidised.
D. Both iron (III) oxide and carbon monoxide are reduced.
[1 mark]

Question 2
The diagram shows how aluminium is manufactured by electrolysis.

What are the anode and cathode made of?

anode cathode
A aluminium aluminium
B aluminium graphite
C graphite aluminium
D graphite graphite
[1 mark]
Question 3
Aluminium is extracted from its oxide by electrolysis.
The oxide is dissolved in ……1…… cryolite and aluminium is deposited at the ……2……
Which words correctly complete gaps 1 and 2?
1 2
A aqueous cathode
B aqueous anode
C molten cathode
D molten anode
[1 mark]

Question 4
What are the products at each electrode in the extraction of aluminium?

cathode anode
A oxygen aluminium
B chlorine aluminium
C aluminium chlorine
D aluminium oxygen

[1 mark]

Question 5
Which statement about the extraction of iron from its ore is not correct?
A. Iron can be extracted by reduction with carbon
B. Iron is less di cult to extract than zinc
C. Iron is less di cult to extract than copper
D. Iron is extracted from the ore, hematite
[1 mark]
Question 1
The three statements about aluminium are all correct.

1 Aluminium has an oxide ore.

2 Aluminium is extracted from its ore by electrolysis.
3 Aluminium is used to make cooking utensils.

Which of the statements would still be correct if aluminium was replaced with iron?

1 2 3
A × ✓ ✓

B ✓ × ✓

C ✓ ✓ ✓

D ✓ × ×

[1 mark]

Question 2
Tin is less reactive than iron and the metal is extracted from its ore cassiterite, SnO2.
Which of the following statements are correct?
. Tin does not conduct electricity.
. Tin is hard and shiny
. Tn can be extracted from cassiterite using carbon.
A. 1, 2 & 3
B. 1 & 2 only
C. 1 & 3 only
D. 2 & 3 only
[1 mark]
Question 3
Aluminium can be manufactured using electrolysis.
The diagram below shows the electrolysis cell.

Which of these statements is not correct about electrolysis of aluminium?

A. The cathode has to be replaced regularly as it is burnt away.
B. Aluminium gains electrons during electrolysis and is reduced.
C. The anode and cathode are made of graphite.
D. Cryolite is added to reduce the melting point of the aluminium oxide.
[1 mark]

Question 4
Which reaction does not occur in the extraction of aluminium?
A. Al3+ + 3 e– → Al
B. 2 Al2O3 + 3 C → 4 Al + 3 CO2
C. 2 O2– → O2 + 4 e–
D. C + O2 → CO2
[1 mark]
Question 5
Iron is produced in a blast furnace.
This process involves blowing oxygen into impure molten iron and adding calcium oxide.
What are the reasons for blowing in oxygen and adding calcium oxide?
blowing in oxygen adding calcium oxide
A reacts with carbon so removes it removes basic impurities making slag
B oxygen reacts with iron reacts with slag and so removes it
C oxygen reacts with iron removes acidic impurities making slag
D reacts with carbon so removes it removes acidic impurities making slag
[1 mark]
Question 1a
Iron is a transition element.
Which of the following statements about transition elements are correct?

Tick three boxes.

The metals are highly coloured e.g. yellow, green, blue.

The metals have low melting points.
Their compounds are highly coloured.
Their compounds are colourless.
The elements and their compounds are often used as catalysts.
They have more than one oxidation state.
[3 marks]

Question 1b
i)

In which Period in the Periodic Table is iron to be found?

[1]
ii)
Use the Periodic Table to work out the number of protons and the number of neutrons in one atom of iron.

Number of protons =

Number of neutrons =
[1]
[2 marks]
Question 1c
Iron is extracted in a blast furnace. The list below gives some of the substances used or formed in the extraction.

carbon monoxide coke iron ore limestone slag

i)
Which substance is a mineral containing largely calcium carbonate?
[1]
ii)
Which substance is formed when impurities in the ore react with calcium oxide?
[1]
iii)
Which substance is also called hematite?
[1]
[3 marks]

Question 1d
State two functions of the coke used in the blast furnace.
[2 marks]

Question 1e
Some of the iron is converted into stainless steel. Give one use for stainless steel.
[1 mark]
Question 2a
Extended Only
The diagram shows a blast furnace.

The following equations represent reactions which take place in the blast furnace.

A C + O2 → CO2
B CaCO3 → CaO + CO2
C CaO + SiO2 → CaSiO3
D CO2 + C → 2CO
E Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2

i)
Which reaction is used to increase the temperature inside the blast furnace?
[1]
ii)
Which reaction is an example of thermal decomposition?
[1]
iii)
In which reaction is carbon both oxidised and reduced?
[1]
iv)
Which equation shows the removal of an impurity from the iron?
[1]
v)
Which equation shows the reaction of an acidic substance with a basic substance?
[1]
[5 marks]
Question 2b
Use the diagram of the blast furnace to help you answer these questions.

i)
What enters the blast furnace at X?
[1]
ii)
What leaves the blast furnace at Y?
[1]
iii)
Name two waste gases that leave the blast furnace.

1. .........................................................................................................................................

2. .........................................................................................................................................
[2]
[4 marks]
Question 2c
Extended Only
The graph shows how the malleability of iron changes as the percentage of carbon in the iron changes.

i)
Describe how the malleability of iron changes as the percentage of carbon changes.
[1]
ii)
Iron obtained from the blast furnace contains high levels of carbon. Explain how the amount of carbon in the iron can be
decreased.
[2]
[3 marks]
Question 3a
Separate: Chemistry and Extended Only
The position of aluminium in the reactivity series of metals is shown below.
magnesium
aluminium
zinc
copper
Aluminium is extracted by the electrolysis of its molten oxide.

i)
Name the main ore of aluminium.
[1]
ii)
Why does the molten electrolyte contain cryolite?
[1]
iii)
Oxygen is produced at the positive electrode (anode). Name another gas which is given o at this electrode.
[1]
[3 marks]
Question 3b
Extended Only
Aluminium reacts very slowly with aqueous copper(II) sulphate.

2Al (s) + 3CuSO4 (aq) → Al2(SO4)3 (aq) + 3Cu (s)

i)
Which of the two metals has the greater tendency to form ions?
[1]
ii)
Describe what you would see when this reaction occurs.
[1]
iii)
Explain why aluminium reacts so slowly.
[1]
[3 marks]

Question 3c
Extended Only
Complete the following table by writing “reaction” or “no reaction” in the spaces provided.

Oxide Type of oxide Reaction with acid Reaction with alkali

magnesium basic .................................. ..................................
aluminium amphoteric .................................. ..................................
[2 marks]
Question 4a
Aluminium is extracted by electrolysis. Iron is extracted from its ore by reduction with carbon.
Name the main ore of aluminium.
[1 mark]

Question 4b
Explain why aluminium cannot be extracted by reduction with carbon.
[1 mark]

Question 4c
Separate: Chemistry and Extended Only
Describe why cryolite is used in the extraction of aluminium by electrolysis.
[1 mark]

Question 4d
Separate: Chemistry and Extended Only
Name the product formed at the positive electrode.
[1 mark]

Question 4e
Separate: Chemistry and Extended Only
Write the ionic half-equation for the reaction at the negative electrode.
[1 mark]

Question 4f
Iron is a transition element.
Iron forms hydrated iron(III) oxide when it rusts.
Write a word equation to represent the formation of rust.

[1 mark]
Question 5a
This question is about iron and iron compounds.
Name the main ore of iron.
[1 mark]

Question 5b
In a blast furnace used for the extraction of iron, carbon reacts with oxygen from the air to form carbon monoxide.
Complete the chemical equation for this reaction.

.....C + ..... → 2CO

[2 marks]

Question 5c
In the hotter parts of the furnace, carbon reacts with the iron(III) oxide present in the iron ore.

3C + Fe2O3 → 3CO + 2Fe

How does this equation show that carbon is oxidised?

[1 mark]
Question 5d
Limestone is added to the blast furnace. The limestone is converted into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. The reaction is endothermic.

heat
CaCO3 ⎯⎯⎯⎯ CaO + CO2

What type of chemical reaction is this?

[1 mark]

Question 5e
What type of oxide is calcium oxide?
Give a reason for your answer.
[2 marks]

Question 6a
This question is about iron and iron compounds.

Iron can be extracted from iron ore by reduction with carbon in a blast furnace.

Which one of these substances is an ore of iron?

Draw a circle around the correct answer.

bauxite graphite hematite limestone

[1 mark]
Question 6b
The equation shows one of the reactions occurring in the blast furnace.

2Fe2O3 + 3C → 4Fe + 3CO2

How does this equation show that Fe2O3 is reduced?

[1 mark]

Question 6c
The carbon dioxide formed can be reduced by carbon.

CO2 + C → 2CO

The energy level diagram for this reaction is shown.

Explain how this diagram shows that the reaction is endothermic.

[1 mark]

Question 6d
Explain why iron is extracted by reduction with carbon and not by electrolysis.
Refer to the position of iron in the reactivity series in your answer.
[1 mark]
Question 1a
Separate: Chemistry and Extended Only
Aluminium is an important metal with a wide range of uses.
Aluminium is obtained by the electrolysis of aluminium oxide dissolved in molten cryolite.

i)
Solid aluminium oxide is a poor conductor of electricity. It conducts either when molten or when dissolved in molten cryolite.
Explain why.

[2]
ii)
Why is a solution of aluminium oxide in molten cryolite used rather than molten aluminium oxide?
[1]
iii)
Explain why the carbon anodes need to be replaced periodically.
[1]
iv)
One reason why graphite is used for the electrodes is that it is a good conductor of electricity. Give another reason.
[1]
[5 marks]
Question 1b
Aluminium is used to make food containers because it resists corrosion.
Explain why it is not attacked by the acids in food.
[2 marks]

Question 1c
Aluminium is used for overhead power (electricity) cables which usually have a steel core.

i)
Give two properties of aluminium which make it suitable for this use.
[2]
ii)
Explain why the cables have a steel core.
[1]
[3 marks]
Question 2a
Aluminium was first isolated in 1827 using sodium.
AlCl3 + 3Na → Al + 3NaCl

Aluminium, obtained by this method, was more expensive than gold.

Suggest an explanation why aluminium was so expensive.
[1 mark]

Question 2b
Separate: Chemistry and Extended Only
The modern method for extracting aluminium is the electrolysis of a molten electrolyte, aluminium oxide dissolved in cryolite.
The aluminium oxide decomposes.
2Al2O3 → 4Al + 3O2

i)
Both electrodes are made of carbon.

Give two reasons why the oxide is dissolved in cryolite.

[2]
ii)
Complete the ionic equation for the reaction at the anode.

.......... O2– → O2 + ......... e-

[2]
iii)
Why do the carbon anodes need to be replaced frequently?
[1]
[5 marks]
Question 2c
The electrolysis of a molten electrolyte is one method of extracting a metal from its ore.

Other methods are the electrolysis of an aqueous solution and the reduction of the oxide by carbon.

Explain why these last two methods cannot be used to extract aluminium.

electrolysis of an aqueous solution ...................................................................................

using carbon .....................................................................................................................

[2 marks]

Question 3a
Complete the labelling of the diagram.

[4 marks]
Question 3b
Separate: Chemistry and Extended Only
The ions that are involved in the electrolysis are Al3+ and O2−.

i)
Write an equation for the reaction at the cathode.
[2]
ii)
Explain how carbon dioxide is formed at the anode.
[2]
[4 marks]
Question 3c
Give an explanation for each of the following.

i)
Aluminium is used extensively in the manufacture of aircraft.
[1]
ii)
Aluminium is used to make food containers.
[2]
iii)
Aluminium electricity cables have a steel core.
[1]
[4 marks]

Question 4a
Iron is extracted from its ore, hematite, in a blast furnace.
Substances added to the furnace are:
Iron ore, hematite, containing impurities such as silica, SiO2
Air
Coke, C
Limestone, CaCO3
Substances formed in the blast furnace are:
Molten iron
Molten slag
Waste gases such as carbon dioxide
State the two functions of the coke used in the blast furnace.
[2 marks]
Question 4b
Write an equation for the conversion of hematite, Fe2O3, to iron.
[2 marks]

Question 4c
Explain how the silica impurity is removed and separated from the molten iron.
[3 marks]

Question 4d
The molten iron from the furnace is impure. It contains impurities which include the element carbon. Explain how the carbon is
removed. Include an equation in your answer.
[3 marks]
Question 5a
Iron from the Blast Furnace is impure. It contains about 5% of impurities, mainly carbon, sulfur, silicon and phosphorus, which
have to be removed when this iron is converted into steel.
Explain how the addition of oxygen and calcium oxide removes these impurities. Include an equation for a reaction of oxygen
and a word equation for a reaction of calcium oxide in this process.
[5 marks]

Question 5b
Mild steel is the most common form of steel. Mild steel contains a maximum of 0.3% of carbon.
High carbon steel contains 2% of carbon. It is less malleable and much harder than mild steel.
i)
Give a use of mild steel.
[1]
ii)
Suggest a use of high carbon steel.
[1]
iii)
Explain why metals are malleable.
[3]
iv)
Suggest an explanation why high carbon steel is less malleable and harder than mild steel.
[2]
[7 marks]
Question 6a
Separate: Chemistry and Extended Only
Aluminium is obtained by the reduction of aluminium ions to aluminium atoms.
Write an ionic equation for the reduction of an aluminium ion to an aluminium atom.
[2 marks]
Question 6b
Separate: Chemistry and Extended Only
The original method of extracting aluminium involved the reduction of aluminium chloride using the reactive metal sodium.
Aluminium obtained by this method was very expensive due to the high cost of extracting sodium from sodium chloride.

i)
Complete the equation for this reduction.

AlCl3 + .......Na → ........... + ...........

[2]
ii)
How can sodium metal be obtained from sodium chloride?
[2]
[4 marks]
Question 6c
Separate: Chemistry and Extended Only
In the modern method, aluminium is obtained by the electrolysis of aluminium oxide (alumina) dissolved in molten cryolite,
Na3AlF6.

i)
The major ore of aluminium is impure aluminium oxide. What is the name of this ore?
[2]
ii)
This ore is a mixture of aluminium oxide, which is amphoteric, and iron(III) oxide which is basic.
Explain how these two oxides can be separated by the addition of aqueous sodium hydroxide.
[2]
iii)
Give two reasons why the electrolyte contains cryolite.
[2]
iv)
The mixture of gases evolved at the positive electrode includes:
carbon dioxide
carbon monoxide
fluorine
oxygen
Explain the presence of these gases in the gaseous mixture formed at the positive electrode. Include at least one equation in
your explanation.
[4]

[10 marks]
Question 6d
Extended Only
A major use of aluminium is the manufacture of pots and pans. One reason for this is its resistance to corrosion.

i)
Explain why aluminium, a reactive metal, is resistant to corrosion.
[1]
ii)
Suggest two other reasons why aluminium is suitable for making pots and pans.
[2]
[3 marks]
Question 7a
Iron from a blast furnace contains about 5% of the impurities – carbon, silicon, phosphorus and sulfur. Most of this impure
iron is used to make steels, such as mild steel, and a very small percentage is used to make pure iron.
i)
Calcium oxide and oxygen are used to remove the impurities from the iron produced in the blast furnace.
State how these chemicals are manufactured.

calcium oxide .........................

oxygen .................................
[3]
ii)
Describe how these two chemicals remove the four impurities. Include at least one equation in your answer.
[5]
[8 marks]
Question 7b
i)
Describe the structure of a typical metal such as iron. You may include a diagram.
[2]
ii)
Explain why pure iron is malleable.
[2]
iii)
Mild steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. Suggest why mild steel is harder than pure iron.
[2]
[6 marks]
Question 8a
Iron from the blast furnace is impure. It contains 5% of impurities, mainly carbon, sulfur, silicon and phosphorus. Almost all of
this impure iron is converted into the alloy, mild steel.

i)
State a use of mild steel.
[1]
ii)
Name and give a use of another iron-containing alloy.
[2]
[3 marks]

Question 8b
The oxides of carbon and sulfur are gases. The oxides of silicon and phosphorus are not.
Explain how these impurities are removed from the impure iron when it is converted into mild steel.
[5 marks]
Question 9a
Iron is extracted from its ore, hematite, in the blast furnace.

The temperature inside the blast furnace can rise to 2000 °C. Write an equation for the exothermic reaction which causes
this high temperature.
[1 mark]

Question 9b
Carbon monoxide is formed in the blast furnace. This reduces the ore hematite, Fe2O3, to iron.

i)
Explain how carbon monoxide is formed in the blast furnace.
[2]
ii)
Write an equation for the reduction of hematite by carbon monoxide.
[2]
[4 marks]
Question 9c
Explain why it is necessary to add limestone, calcium carbonate, to the blast furnace. Include an equation in your
explanation.
[3 marks]

Question 9d
Extended Only
Most of the iron from the blast furnace is converted into mild steel. A method of preventing the steel from rusting is coating it
with zinc.

i)
What is the name of this method of rust prevention?
[1]
ii)
Explain, using the idea of electron transfer, why zinc-coated steel does not rust even when the coating is scratched and the
steel is in contact with oxygen and water.
[2]
[3 marks]
Question 10a
Extended Only
No one knows where iron was first isolated. It appeared in China, the Middle East and in Africa. It was obtained by reducing
iron ore with charcoal.
Complete the following equation.

Fe2O3 + ........................ → ........................ + ........................

(iron ore) (charcoal)
[2 marks]
Question 10b
Extended Only
In 1705 Abraham Darby showed that iron ore could be reduced using coke in a blast furnace.

i)
The temperature in the furnace rises to 2000 °C. Write an equation for the exothermic reaction that causes this high
temperature.
[1]
ii)
In the furnace, the ore is reduced by carbon monoxide. Explain how this is formed.
[2]
[3 marks]
Question 10c
Extended Only
The formation of slag removes an impurity in the ore.
Write a word equation for the formation of the slag.
[2 marks]

Question 10d
Extended Only
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron. It contains iron, other metals and about 0.5% of carbon.

i)
State a use of stainless steel.
[1]
ii)
Name a metal, other than iron, in stainless steel.
[1]
iii)
The iron from the blast furnace is impure. It contains about 5% of carbon and other impurities, such as silicon and
phosphorus.
Describe how the percentage of carbon is reduced and the other impurities are removed.
[4]
[6 marks]
Question 10e
Separate: Chemistry Only
One of the methods used to prevent iron or steel from rusting is to electroplate it with another metal, such as tin. Complete
the following.
The anode is made of ...............................................
The cathode is made of .............................................
The electrolyte is a solution of ...................................
[3 marks]

Question 11a
A list of symbols and formulae is shown.

Which symbol or formula represents a compound produced by the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate?

[1 mark]
Question 11b
The diagram shows part of the structures of caesium chloride and carbon dioxide.

Explain why caesium is not extracted from caesium oxide by heating with carbon.
[1 mark]

Question 12a
This question is about oxides.

The names of eight substances are given.

aluminium oxide calcium oxide ethanol nitrogen

iron(III) oxide methane oxygen silicon(IV) oxide

State which substance is the main constituent of bauxite.

[1 mark]

Question 12b
Give the name of the process that is used to extract aluminium from aluminium oxide.

[1 mark]
Question 12c
The table shows how easy it is to reduce four metal oxides with carbon.

metal oxide ease of reduction with carbon

bismuth(III) oxide reduced by carbon only above 250°C
chromium(III) oxide reduced by carbon only above 1200 °C
lead(II) oxide reduced by carbon only above 440 °C
zinc oxide reduced by carbon only above 990°C

Use the information in the table to put the four metals in order of their reactivity.

Put the least reactive metal first.

[2 marks]