Topic 4 – Extracting metals and equilibria SPECIFICATION

Obtaining and using metals 

4.1 Deduce the relative reactivity of some metals, by their reactions with water, acids and salt solutions 

4.2 Explain displacement reactions as redox reactions, in terms of gain or loss of electrons 

4.3 Explain the reactivity series of metals (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, (carbon), zinc, iron, (hydrogen), copper, silver, gold) in terms of the reactivity of the metals with water and dilute acids and that these reactions show the relative tendency of metal atoms to form cations 

4.4 Recall that:

a most metals are extracted from ores found in the Earth’s crust

b unreactive metals are found in the Earth’s crust as the uncombined elements

4.5 Explain oxidation as the gain of oxygen and reduction as the loss of oxygen 

4.6 Recall that the extraction of metals involves reduction of ores 

4.7 Explain why the method used…