Extraction Masterclass: Iron & Aluminium
IGCSE Chemistry 0620 · Comparative Essay Practice · Blast Furnace & Electrolysis
Section A
Ores & Methods
5 Questions
Section B
Comparing Reduction
5 Questions
Section C
By-Products & Waste
5 Questions
Section A: Ores & Methods
5 questions
Name the main ore of iron.
💡 Think: the red planet Mars is named after the Roman god of war — its surface is red because of this ore.
Name the main ore of aluminium.
💡 Think of a beautiful place — this ore is named after 'Les Baux de Provence' in southern France.
Iron is extracted in a blast furnace. State TWO raw materials added at the top of the blast furnace (other than iron ore).
💡 One provides carbon. One removes impurities.
State the method used to extract iron from its ore.
💡 The furnace uses blasts of hot air.
State the method used to extract aluminium from its ore.
💡 Aluminium is too reactive for chemical reduction — electrons must do the work.
Section B: Comparing Reduction Methods
5 questions
Iron is extracted by reduction with carbon. Aluminium cannot be extracted this way. Explain why different methods are needed for these two metals. [3 marks]
💡 Think about the reactivity series. Who is higher — aluminium or carbon?
Write a balanced equation for the reduction of iron(III) oxide by carbon monoxide in the blast furnace.
💡 Carbon monoxide is the actual reducing agent (formed from incomplete combustion of coke).
Explain why electrolysis is used for aluminium extraction rather than chemical reduction, and state ONE disadvantage of electrolysis compared to using carbon reduction.
💡 Think: why is aluminium expensive even though it's the most abundant metal in Earth's crust?
During electrolysis of aluminium oxide, state what is produced at (a) the cathode and (b) the anode.
💡 Remember: OIL RIG — Oxidation Is Loss (anode), Reduction Is Gain (cathode).
Explain why the carbon anodes in the aluminium electrolysis cell need to be replaced regularly.
💡 Think about what happens when oxygen meets carbon at 900°C.
Section C: By-Products & Waste
5 questions
Name the useful by-product formed when limestone removes impurities in the blast furnace. Write a word equation for its formation.
💡 Limestone → quicklime → reacts with sandy impurities (SiO₂).
State ONE industrial use of slag.
💡 It's glassy, heat-resistant, and cheap. Where would builders use it?
Name the gas produced at the anode during aluminium extraction. Explain why this is a problem for the environment.
💡 The carbon anode burns in the oxygen atmosphere of the cell.
Explain why aluminium is more expensive to produce than iron, despite being more abundant in the Earth's crust.
💡 Compare their extraction methods — one uses electricity, the other uses cheap coke.
A student claims: 'We should always use the same method to extract all metals — it would be simpler.' Evaluate this claim with reference to the reactivity series. [3 marks]
💡 Think about what determines the extraction method. Is one method suitable for ALL metals?
⚡ Quick Recall: The Golden Rules of Metal Extraction
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 · Topic 9.6 · Extraction of Metals · Limitless Chemistry Professor
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