Question

How can metals at the top of the reactivity series be extracted from their ores? Explain with an example.

Answer 1

• The metals at the top of the reactivity series can be extracted from their ores by an electrolytic process known as electrolytic reduction. These metals such as sodium, magnesium, calcium, and aluminum, are very reactive and cannot be obtained from their compounds by heating with carbon. This is because these metals have more affinity for oxygen than carbon.

Example : $\mathrm{NaCl}.\left(\mathrm{Molten}\right)\to \mathrm{Na}*(\mathrm{Cathode}.)+{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{Anode}\right)$

At cathode : $\mathrm{Na}+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to \mathrm{Na}\left(\mathrm{Deposited}\right)$

At anode : $\mathrm{CI}-2/1\mathrm{Cl}2+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}(\mathrm{evolved})$