| Method | Used For | Example | Key Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon reduction | Metals less reactive than carbon | Iron from haematite | Metal oxide + carbon → metal + CO₂ |
| Electrolysis | Metals more reactive than carbon | Aluminium from bauxite | Molten compound + electrical energy |
| Bioleaching | Low-grade copper ores | Copper extraction | Bacteria dissolve copper compounds |
| Phytomining | Low-grade copper deposits | Copper extraction | Plants absorb copper; ash processed |
This comparison covers Extraction Method Summary within Extracting Metals for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Extracting Metals in Chemical Changes for GCSE Chemistry with 6 exam-style questions and 6 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 7 of 14 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Extracting Metals
Which method is used to extract a metal that is MORE reactive than carbon?
Iron is extracted from haematite in a blast furnace. Describe how iron is obtained from iron oxide using carbon, and explain the term 'reduction' in this context.
Quick recall flashcards
What is haematite, and where is iron extracted from it?
Haematite is iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) — the main ore of iron. Iron is extracted from haematite in a blast furnace using carbon (coke) as the reducing agent.
Which metals must be extracted by electrolysis, and why?
Metals MORE reactive than carbon (e.g. aluminium, sodium, potassium) must be extracted by electrolysis. Carbon is not reactive enough to pull oxygen away from them.