Question

Describe with one example, how moderately reactive metals (which are in the middle of reactivity series) are extracted.

Answer 1

The moderately reactive metals are extracted by reducing their oxides with carbon, aluminium, sodium, or calcium.

When zinc sulphide (zinc blende ore) is strongly heated in air (roasted), it forms zinc oxide and sulphur dioxide. This process is called roasting. Then, zinc oxide is heated with carbon to form zinc metal. This process is termed reduction.