Question

How does the method used for extracting a metal from its ore depend on the metal’s position in the reactivity series? Explain with examples.

Answer 1

1. Various techniques are employed to extract metals classified as highly reactive, moderately reactive, and less reactive.
2. The extraction of a metal from its concentrated ore fundamentally involves reducing the metal complex present in the ore.
3. For example, manganese metal is produced by reducing its oxide with aluminium powder rather than carbon.
4. This is due to carbon's lower reactivity compared to manganese. Carbon, a non-metal, exhibits more reactivity than zinc and can be positioned directly above Zn in the reactivity series.
5. Consequently, carbon can reduce zinc oxides and other metals with lower reduction potentials to elemental metals.