A metal oxide is a compound containing metal and oxygen atoms chemically bonded together.

Oxidation is a type of reaction in which a substance gains oxygen or loses electrons.

Reduction is a type of reaction in which a substance loses oxygen or gains electrons.

An ore is a rock that contains metals or metal compounds. Metal can be extracted from its ore.

A redox reaction is a reaction where both reduction and oxidation occur.

Extraction of metals by reduction

Combined science

Earth's resources and sustainable development

Fractional distillation of crude oil

Cracking fractions of crude oil

Polymer structures

Developing a reactivity series for metals

Redox reactions

Alternative methods of extracting metals: phytomining and bioleaching

Life cycle assessments (LCAs)

In the Atmosphere and Changing Climate unit, pupils will build on their understanding of Earth's resources to learn about the evidence for the composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere and the impact of human activity on climate change.

In the Earth's Resources unit, pupils learned about the composition and structure of the Earth, and the rock cycle.

This unit covers crude oil, its role as a hydrocarbon source, and separation by fractional distillation. It explores cracking, metal reactivity, and extraction methods, including biological alternatives. Emphasis is on recycling, life-cycle assessments, and evaluating decisions.

Using Earth's resources

What is the name for a type of reaction in which a substance loses oxygen or gains electrons?

Using electrolysis to separate platinum from a platinum compound.

Reduction by carbon as platinum is more reactive than carbon.

Eeduction by carbon as platinum is less reactive than carbon.

No chemical extraction is necessary; platinum is found as an uncombined element.

Which of the following methods can we use to extract platinum?

Which statements about the following reaction are correct?
Zinc oxide + carbon → carbon dioxide + zinc.

Lithium has been reduced and copper oxide has been oxidised.

Lithium has been reduced and copper oxide has been reduced.

Lithium has been oxidised and copper oxide has been oxidised.

Lithium has been oxidised and copper oxide has been reduced.

In the following reaction, which substance has been oxidised and which substance has been reduced?
Lithium + copper oxide → lithium oxide and copper.

It is found in Earth as an uncombined element.

How can aluminium be extracted from aluminium compounds in an alumumium ore?

Carbon can displace magnesium from a magnesium compound.

Carbon can displace zinc from a zinc compound.

Carbon cannot displace magnesium from a magnesium compound.

Why can we extract zinc from zinc ore by heating with carbon, but not to extract magnesium from magnesium ore?

Where are more reactive metals positioned on the reactivity series?

What is the product of a reaction between sodium and oxygen?

What is scientific term for a rock that contains metals or metal compounds from which we can extract metal? 

Magnesium is more reactive than the non–metal carbon.

Copper is less reactive than the non–metal carbon.

Iron is more reactive than the non–metal carbon.

Which of the following statements about the position of metals in the reactivity series are correct?

Which substance has been oxidised in the following reaction?
Magnesium + iron oxide → magnesium oxide + iron.

Which substance has been reduced in this reaction?
Magnesium + iron oxide → magnesium oxide + iron.

Extraction of metals by reduction

Lesson outcome