Q1
Highly reactive metals are extracted using:
Aelectrolysis
Bsimple heating only
Ccarbon reduction only
Dno extraction needed
CBSEClass 10 (CBSE)ScienceCh 3 · Topic 2
The Reactivity Series and Extraction of Metals
Learning about the reactivity series and how it determines metal extraction methods.
Core concept
Extraction methods must match a metal's position in the reactivity series because more reactive metals form more stable compounds, requiring more energy-intensive extraction. For example, aluminium, despite being fairly reactive, is extracted by electrolysis (Hall-Héroult process) since carbon reduction is insufficient for its strongly bonded ore, while iron ore can be reduced using carbon in a blast furnace because iron is less reactive and its oxide bonds are weaker.
Exam highlight
Key diagram
Keywords worth remembering
Trending
the reactivity series and extraction of metalscbse class 10
Most searched
CBSE class 10 the reactivity series and extraction of metals
Study resources
Notes & downloads
Quick notes
• The reactivity series ranks metals from most to least reactive.
• Highly reactive metals (Na, K, Ca) are extracted using electrolysis.
• Moderately reactive metals (Fe, Zn) are extracted using carbon reduction.
• Unreactive metals (Au, Ag) are often found in their free (uncombined) state in nature.