Extraction of metals
9.6What the syllabus asks of you
- Describe the ease of obtaining metals from their ores, related to the position of the metal in the reactivity series
- Describe the extraction of iron from hematite in the blast furnace, including symbol equations for each step, limited to: (a) the burning of carbon (coke) to provide heat and produce carbon dioxide (b) the reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide (c) the reduction of iron(III) oxide by carbon monoxide (d) the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate / limestone to produce calcium oxide (e) the formation of slag
- Describe the extraction of aluminium from purified bauxite / aluminium oxide, including: (a) the role of cryolite (b) why the carbon anodes need to be regularly replaced (c) the reactions at the electrodes, including ionic half-equations Details of the purification of bauxite are not required
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Chapter 9: Extraction of metals
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48 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q27Show mark scheme →
A1 and 2
B1 and 4
C2 and 3
D3 and 4
Mark scheme
2May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q28Show mark scheme →
Abauxite
Bcarbon
Ccryolite
Dplatinum
Mark scheme
3Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q27Show mark scheme →
Aaluminium
Bcarbon
Ccryolite
Dplatinum
Mark scheme
4Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q27Show mark scheme →
ACoke is reduced to carbon dioxide producing thermal energy to heat the furnace.
BHematite contains iron(III) oxide which is reduced by carbon monoxide.
CLimestone is added to the blast furnace and is a substance that consists mainly of calcium oxide.
DMolten slag is formed from a reaction between hematite and silicon(IV) oxide.
Mark scheme
5May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q28Show mark scheme →
AAir is blown into the blast furnace to react with carbon.
BAt the bottom of the blast furnace, a layer of molten iron floats on top of a layer of molten slag.
CLimestone is decomposed in the blast furnace to produce carbon monoxide.
DSilicon dioxide, an impurity in the ore, is a basic oxide.
Mark scheme
6May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q28Show mark scheme →
A3SiO2 + Fe2O3 → 2Fe + 3SiO3
BSiO2 + C → Si + CO2
CSiO2 + CaO → CaSiO3
D2SiO2 + N2 → 2Si + 2NO2
Mark scheme
7Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Q27Show mark scheme →
A1, 2, 3
B1, 3, 2
C2, 1, 3
D2, 3, 1
Mark scheme
8Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 12 · Q30Show mark scheme →
Ahigh; electrolysis only
Bhigh; electrolysis or heating with carbon
Chigh; heating with carbon only
Dlow; heating with carbon only
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9May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q31Show mark scheme →
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C1 only
D2 and 3 only
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10May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q29Show mark scheme →
AFeCr2O4 + 4C → Fe + 2Cr + 4CO
B3Fe + 4H2O → Fe3O4 + 4H2
CSiO2 + CaO → CaSiO3
DSiO2 + 2NaOH → Na2SiO3 + H2O
Mark scheme
11Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q29Show mark scheme →
Adecomposition by heat
Belectrolysis
Cprecipitation
Dreduction
Mark scheme
12Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q29Also set in Oct / Nov 2018 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C2 only
D2 and 3 only
Mark scheme
13May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q29Show mark scheme →
A1 and 2 only
B1 and 3 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Mark scheme
14Oct / Nov 2022 · Paper 12 · Q33Also set in Oct / Nov 2022 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
ACalcium carbonate is used to remove acidic impurities.
BCoke is reduced to carbon dioxide.
CHaematite is oxidised by carbon monoxide.
DHaematite undergoes thermal decomposition.
Mark scheme
15May / June 2022 · Paper 11 · Q26Show mark scheme →
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C1 and 3 only
D2 and 3 only
Mark scheme
16May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Q17Show mark scheme →
Areaction at the anode: Al⁺ + e⁻ → Al; reaction at the cathode: O²⁻ + 2e⁻ → O
Breaction at the anode: Al³⁺ + 3e⁻ → Al; reaction at the cathode: 2O²⁻ + 4e⁻ → O₂
Creaction at the anode: O²⁻ − 2e⁻ → O; reaction at the cathode: 3Al⁺ + 3e⁻ → 3Al
Dreaction at the anode: 2O²⁻ − 4e⁻ → O₂; reaction at the cathode: Al³⁺ + 3e⁻ → Al
Mark scheme
17Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 11 · Q32Show mark scheme →
Aelectrolysis of an aqueous solution of a salt of X
Belectrolysis of the molten oxide of X
Cheating the oxide of X in hydrogen
Dheating the oxide of X with powdered carbon
Mark scheme
18Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 12 · Q32Show mark scheme →
A1 and 2 only
B1 and 3 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Mark scheme
19Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 12 · Q34Also set in Oct / Nov 2021 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3
D2 and 3
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20May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q31Show mark scheme →
Aelectrolysis
Bheating alone
Cheating with carbon
Dreacting with hydrogen
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21May / June 2021 · Paper 11 · Q33Show mark scheme →
A1 only
B1 and 2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Mark scheme
22May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q31Show mark scheme →
A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Mark scheme
23May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Q33Show mark scheme →
AAir is blown into the blast furnace to react with carbon.
BAt the bottom of a blast furnace a layer of molten iron floats on top of a layer of molten slag.
CLimestone is decomposed in the blast furnace to produce carbon monoxide.
DSilicon dioxide, an impurity in the ore, is a basic oxide.
Mark scheme
24Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 11 · Q31Show mark scheme →
AIt decomposes and neutralises acidic impurities.
BIt is a fuel which heats the furnace.
CIt oxidises the iron in haematite.
DIt releases oxygen allowing the coke to burn.
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25Oct / Nov 2020 · Paper 12 · Q31Show mark scheme →
AThe anode is made of graphite.
BThe anode is made of steel.
CThe cathode is made of bauxite.
DThe cathode is made of cryolite.
Mark scheme
26May / June 2020 · Paper 11 · Q28Show mark scheme →
AC + O2 → CO2
BC + CO2 → 2CO
CFe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2
DCaCO3 + SiO2 → CaSiO3 + CO2
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27May / June 2020 · Paper 12 · Q27Also set in May / June 2020 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
Acalcium
Bcopper
Clead
Dsilver
Mark scheme
28May / June 2020 · Paper 12 · Q28Show mark scheme →
AC + O2 → CO2
BCO2 + C → 2CO
CCaCO3 → CaO + CO2
DCaO + SiO2 → CaSiO3
Mark scheme
29May / June 2020 · Paper 12 · Q30Show mark scheme →
AThe product at the anode reacts with the anode.
BThe product at the anode reacts with the cathode.
CThe product at the cathode reacts with the anode.
DThe product at the cathode reacts with the cathode.
Mark scheme
30Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 11 · Q28Show mark scheme →
Aelectrolysis of the molten ore
Bheat alone
Cheat with aluminium powder
Dheat with carbon
Mark scheme
31Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q12Show mark scheme →
Acalcium
Bcopper
Ciron
Dsilver
Mark scheme
32Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q26Show mark scheme →
ACu
BFe
CMg
DZn
Mark scheme
33Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q28Show mark scheme →
Ato decompose to release oxygen to burn the coke
Bto decompose to release oxygen to oxidise the iron
Cto decompose to neutralise the acidic impurities
Dto react with coke to heat the blast furnace
Mark scheme
34Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q29Also set in Oct / Nov 2019 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AAluminium ions gain electrons to form aluminium.
BCryolite increases the melting point of the electrolyte.
CCryolite reacts with impurities to form slag.
DThe carbon cathode has to be replaced regularly as it reacts with oxygen.
Mark scheme
35Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q30Show mark scheme →
Aboth 1 and 2
B1 only
C2 only
Dneither 1 nor 2
Mark scheme
36Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 11 · Q29Show mark scheme →
A1 and 2 3 and 4
B1 and 2 3 only
C1 only 4 only
D2 only 3 and 4
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37May / June 2018 · Paper 11 · Q33Show mark scheme →
Acoloured; high
Bcoloured; low
Ccolourless; high
Dcolourless; low
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38May / June 2018 · Paper 12 · Q15Also set in May / June 2018 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AJ: negative electrode, K: aluminium oxide + cryolite, L: aluminium
BJ: negative electrode, K: cryolite, L: aluminium oxide
CJ: positive electrode, K: aluminium oxide, L: cryolite
DJ: positive electrode, K: aluminium oxide + cryolite, L: aluminium
Mark scheme
39May / June 2018 · Paper 12 · Q32Also set in May / June 2018 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
ACalcium carbonate is used to remove acidic impurities.
BCoke is reduced to carbon dioxide.
CHaematite is oxidised by carbon monoxide.
DHaematite undergoes thermal decomposition.
Mark scheme
40Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 12 · Q22Show mark scheme →
ABoth form 2+ ions.
BBoth have amphoteric oxides.
CThe manufacture of both metals involves the reduction of the metal ions.
DThey are both normally manufactured by electrolysis.
Mark scheme
41May / June 2017 · Paper 11 · Q29Show mark scheme →
Adecomposition by heat
Belectrolysis
Cprecipitation
Dreduction
Mark scheme
42May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q28Also set in May / June 2017 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
A1 and 3
B1 and 4
C2 and 3
D2 and 4
Mark scheme
43Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q3Show mark scheme →
ACarbon monoxide reduces sodium oxide to sodium.
BDuring the electrolysis of copper(II) sulfate solution, hydrogen is liberated at the positive electrode.
CRecycling aluminium conserves the Earth's finite supply of haematite.
DIron oxide is reduced to iron in the blast furnace.
Mark scheme
44Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q26Also set in Oct / Nov 2016 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AThe electrolyte is a solid mixture of aluminium oxide and cryolite.
BThe electrolyte is aluminium oxide dissolved in water.
CThe equation for the reaction at the positive electrode is Al³⁺ + 3e⁻ → Al.
DThe positive carbon electrodes lose mass during the process and need regular replacement.
Mark scheme
45May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q27Show mark scheme →
Abauxite
Bcryolite
Climestone
Dslag
Mark scheme
46May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q30Show mark scheme →
ACO, H2, CO2
BCO, SO2, H2O
CO2, CO, CO2
DSO2, H2, O2
Mark scheme
47May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q29Show mark scheme →
Aaluminium
Bcopper
Ciron
Dsodium
Mark scheme
48May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q31Show mark scheme →
AAluminium ions gain electrons to form aluminium.
BCryolite is added to increase the melting point of the electrolyte.
CCryolite is added to react with impurities to form slag.
DThe carbon cathode has to be replaced regularly as it reacts with oxygen.
Mark scheme