Choosing an extraction route from reactivity
Use the carbon comparison for suitable oxides and recall bauxite as aluminium's main ore.
Section 9.6 · Extraction of metals
Exam scope and assessment notes
Core and Extended · Chemistry 0971, 2026–2028. Detailed blast-furnace symbol equations and aluminium electrode reactions are taught in Extended lessons. Cambridge states that IGCSE 0971 has the same subject content as IGCSE 0620, with 9–1 grading. This StudyForA pathway maps the 2026–2028 syllabus only. This 9–1 graded qualification is available only in a limited number of administrative zones. Confirm that your centre can enter you for this code and exam series with Cambridge International. Cambridge has published a separate syllabus for 2029. StudyForA has not reconciled that version yet; this page supports exams in 2026, 2027 and 2028 only.
Before you begin
- Recall the series with aluminium above carbon and iron below it.
- Explain reduction as oxygen loss and electrolysis as an electrical decomposition.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which ordering supports the aluminium/iron route comparison?
What you will learn
- Relate ease of extraction from ores to the required reactivity series.
- State aluminium's main ore and its electrolysis extraction route.
A reactive metal's compounds are harder to reduce in the school comparison
More reactive metals are generally harder to obtain from their common ores in the stated comparison, because their compounds need a more demanding extraction route. Carbon or carbon monoxide can reduce suitable oxides of metals below carbon in the series; iron extraction is a studied example. Aluminium lies above carbon, so simple carbon reduction is not the chosen school extraction route for its oxide.
Very unreactive metals can sometimes be found uncombined, while many others occur as compounds in ores. Ore means a naturally occurring material from which extracting the metal is worthwhile in the relevant context; it need not be pure oxide. Reactivity helps choose a chemical route, but actual ease and viability also depend on ore composition, available energy and separation demands. Do not promise one identical treatment for every ore merely from its metal name.
Aluminium uses an electrical route
Bauxite is the main ore of aluminium. The stated extraction uses electrolysis of aluminium oxide obtained from purification of bauxite, rather than treating a raw rock as a pure electrolyte. The details of bauxite purification are not required by this syllabus objective. Aluminium's high reactivity explains why the electrical route is needed instead of the simple carbon-reduction pattern used for iron.
Electrolysis needs suitable mobile ions and an electrical supply; it is a different process from melting an already existing metal into a new shape. The Extended lesson explains the molten mixture, cryolite and carbon-electrode changes. In this Core comparison, retain the ore identity, method and position relative to carbon without borrowing all the industrial electrode details.
Pause and explain
Which statement correctly describes the stated aluminium route?
Worked example
Iron lies below carbon and aluminium above it. Compare their stated extraction routes and name aluminium's main ore.
Show the worked solution
- A suitable iron oxide can be reduced by carbon monoxide in the blast-furnace route.
- Aluminium oxide does not use that simple carbon route in the school comparison and aluminium is extracted by electrolysis.
- Bauxite is aluminium's main ore, with oxide obtained after suitable purification.
Answer Iron: suitable reduction route. Aluminium: electrolysis; main ore bauxite.
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Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Explain the extraction-route contrast for aluminium and iron using their positions relative to carbon.
Give me a hint
Use the non-metal reference point without calling carbon a metal.
Compare my reasoning
- Aluminium is above carbon, while iron is below it.
- A suitable iron oxide can be reduced in the stated carbon/carbon-monoxide route.
- Aluminium uses electrolysis; bauxite is its main ore.
Fe below C supports the reduction route; Al above C uses electrolysis from its bauxite-derived oxide.
Look for these in your work
- Positions and routes agree.
- Ore identity and carbon's role are clear.
A supplied oxide belongs to a metal below carbon in the relevant comparison. What route may be suitable, and why is the word suitable needed?
Give me a hint
Position guides the chemistry but does not describe every ore's practical treatment.
Compare my reasoning
- Carbon or carbon monoxide reduction can be a suitable route for the oxide in the school comparison.
- The metal's position below carbon supports that possibility.
- Ore composition, conditions and processing still matter, so it is not a universal guarantee for every material.
A suitable carbon/carbon-monoxide reduction route may apply; exact ore and conditions still matter.
Look for these in your work
- The chemical prediction follows position.
- The conclusion does not erase processing limitations.
A report says aluminium aircraft scrap and bauxite can both yield aluminium by the identical step of melting only. Assess the distinction.
Give me a hint
One already contains metal; the other requires extraction from compounds.
Compare my reasoning
- Melting aluminium scrap changes an existing metal's state for reuse.
- Bauxite contains aluminium in compounds, so oxide extraction requires the stated purification and electrolysis route.
- A physical melting step is not sufficient evidence of chemical reduction from the ore.
Scrap remelting and ore extraction are different; bauxite-derived aluminium needs the stated chemical extraction route.
Look for these in your work
- Starting material identity is explicit.
- Physical and chemical processes are separated.
Common mistakes
- Putting aluminium below carbon to justify the iron route for it.
- Calling melting a metal the same as extracting it from a compound.
- Treating raw bauxite as pure aluminium oxide.
- Assuming every ore of every metal has one universally identical processing demand.
What can you explain now?
Name aluminium's main ore and the stated extraction method.
Compare with the explanation
Bauxite; electrolysis.
Its position above carbon distinguishes the route from simple carbon reduction of suitable lower-metal oxides.
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Make it stick
Recall bauxite and electrolysis, then explain the carbon reference point with a suitable iron comparison and a limit of route prediction.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.