Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.

com

Questions
Q1.

Most metals are extracted from ores found in the Earth's crust.

The method used to extract a metal from its ore is linked to the reactivity of the metal.

Part of the reactivity series is shown in Figure 14.

Figure 14

* Aluminium is extracted from its ore by electrolysis.

Iron is extracted from its ore by heating with carbon.
Both metals can also be obtained by recycling.

Explain the advantages of recycling aluminium and iron rather than extracting them from
their ores.

(Total for question = 6 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q2.

A student carried out an investigation to determine the order of reactivity of four metals, W,
X, Y and Z.
A piece of metal W was added to a test tube containing excess dilute hydrochloric acid.
This was repeated with the other three metals, X, Y and Z.
In each case, the size of each piece of metal was the same.
The student recorded observations on each reaction for three minutes.

The observations obtained are shown in Figure 8.

(i) Use the information in Figure 8 to place the metals in order of reactivity from the least
reactive to the most reactive.
(2)

(ii) The experiment was repeated using an excess of dilute sulfuric acid in place of the dilute
hydrochloric acid.

metal + sulfuric acid → metal sulfate + hydrogen

When metal Y reacts with dilute sulfuric acid, bubbles form quickly at first and then the
reaction stops.
Most of the solid metal remains.
Explain why the reaction between metal Y and excess dilute sulfuric acid stopped even
though there was solid metal Y left.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(iii) The reactions between metals and dilute ethanoic acid are slower than reactions
between metals and dilute hydrochloric acid.
This is because ethanoic acid is a weak acid.
Explain the meaning of the term weak acid.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 6 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q3.

The reactivity of copper, magnesium and zinc was investigated.

Each metal was placed separately in dilute hydrochloric acid.
The amount of effervescence was observed.

(i) The same mass of metal was used in each experiment.

Which piece of apparatus should be used to find the mass of metal used?
(1)
A a balance

B a pipette

C a stopwatch

D a thermometer

(ii) State two variables, apart from the mass of the metals, that should be controlled in this
investigation.
(2)
1 ..........................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

2 ..........................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(iii) Magnesium produces the most vigorous effervescence.

Copper does not produce any effervescence.
Give the reason why copper does not produce any effervescence.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

(iv) The magnesium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to form magnesium chloride solution
and hydrogen gas.
The equation for the reaction is
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(................) + H2(................)
Fill in the missing state symbols in the spaces provided.
(2)

(Total for question = 6 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q4.

Some metals are found in the Earth's crust as uncombined elements.

Reactive metals are found in ores.

In ores, metals are combined with other elements.

An ore of iron is mostly iron oxide, Fe2O3.

Iron can be extracted from this iron oxide by heating it with carbon.

Balance this equation for the reaction that takes place.

(1)

(Total for question = 1 mark)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q5.

One way to extract metals from land contaminated with metal compounds is phytoextraction.
When plants grow they absorb metal ions through their roots.
The plants are harvested, dried and burned forming an ash.
The ash contains metal compounds.

Plants were grown in a piece of ground contaminated with nickel compounds.

(i) 1 kg of the ash from these plants contained 142.0 g of nickel compounds.
Calculate the percentage by mass of nickel compounds in the ash.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

percentage by mass = ...........................................................

(ii) Nickel is extracted from nickel compounds.

State an advantage of extracting nickel by phytoextraction rather than from its ore.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 4 marks)
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q6.

Some metals are found in the Earth's crust as uncombined elements.

Reactive metals are found in ores.

In ores, metals are combined with other elements.

Most copper ores are described as low grade.

This means that the percentage of copper in the ore is very small.

5000 kg of one copper ore was found to contain 42.5 kg of copper.

Calculate the percentage of copper in this ore.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

percentage of copper in ore = ...........................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q7.

The order of reactivity of copper, magnesium and zinc can be determined by the
displacement reactions between these metals and solutions of their salts.

You are provided with

• samples of the three metals

• solutions of copper sulfate, magnesium sulfate and zinc sulfate.

Describe the experiments that can be done to determine the order of reactivity of these
metals by displacement reactions.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q8.

The method used to extract a metal from its ore depends on the position of the metal in the
reactivity series.

Copper is low down in the reactivity series and can be obtained from copper oxide.

Devise a simple method to obtain a sample of copper from copper oxide in the laboratory.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q9.

Some questions must be answered with a cross in a box ( ). If you change your mind
about an answer, put a line through the box ( ) and then mark your new answer with
a cross ( ).

The method used to extract a metal from its ore depends on the position of the metal in the
reactivity series.

(i) One step in the extraction of titanium metal involves the displacement reaction between
titanium chloride, TiCl4, and magnesium.

TiCl4 + 2Mg → Ti + 2MgCl2

This equation can be simplified as
Ti4+ + 2Mg → Ti + 2Mg2+
Explain why this displacement reaction can be described as a redox reaction.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(ii) The formula of the sulfate ion is SO42−.

Which of the following is the formula of titanium sulfate containing the Ti4+ ion?
(1)
A TiSO4
B Ti2SO4
C Ti(SO4)2
D Ti2S2O8

(Total for question = 4 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q10.

Some metals are found in the Earth's crust as uncombined elements.

Reactive metals are found in ores.

In ores, metals are combined with other elements.

In one stage of the extraction of lead from its ore, lead oxide is heated strongly with carbon.

The equation for the reaction is

2PbO + C → 2Pb + CO2

Explain, using this equation, which substance has been oxidised in this reaction.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Q11.

Metals can be extracted from ores found in the Earth's crust.

Explain why aluminium cannot be extracted from its ore by heating with carbon but can be
extracted by electrolysis.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q12.

The method used to extract a metal from its ore depends on the position of the metal in the
reactivity series.

Aluminium is extracted from its ore by electrolysis.

Explain why this method is used to extract aluminium from its ore.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q13.

Most metals are extracted from ores found in the Earth's crust.

The method used to extract a metal from its ore is linked to the reactivity of the metal.

Part of the reactivity series is shown in Figure 14.

Figure 14

Iron ore contains iron oxide.

Iron is extracted from iron oxide by heating the oxide with carbon.

(i) In this reaction

(1)
A carbon is reduced
B iron oxide is neutralised
C iron oxide is reduced
D iron is oxidised

(ii) The formula of the iron oxide is Fe2O3.

Calculate the maximum mass of iron that can be obtained from 240 tonnes of iron oxide,
Fe2O3.
(relative atomic masses: O = 16, Fe = 56)
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

mass of iron = ........................................................... tonnes

(Total for question = 4 marks)
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q14.

Most metals are extracted from ores found in the Earth's crust.

The method used to extract a metal from its ore is linked to the reactivity of the metal.

Part of the reactivity series is shown in Figure 14.

Figure 14

Aluminium cannot be extracted by heating its oxide with carbon.

Aluminium has to be extracted from its oxide by electrolysis.

Explain why.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q15.

The method used to extract a metal from its ore depends on the position of the metal in the
reactivity series.

Phytoextraction is an alternative biological method that can be used to extract metals from
very low-grade ores.

Give one disadvantage of phytoextraction as a method of extraction of metals.

(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 1 mark)

Q16.

Metals are extracted from substances naturally occurring in the Earth's crust.

Aluminium is extracted from aluminium oxide by electrolysis.

Aluminium oxide is made up of ions.

(i) The formula of aluminium oxide is Al2O3.

Give the number of ions in the formula Al2O3.
(1)
......................................................................................................................

(ii) Complete the balanced equation for the overall reaction by putting numbers in the
spaces.
(2)
2Al2O3 → ................ Al + ................ O2

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q17.

Some metals are found in the Earth's crust as uncombined elements.

Reactive metals are found in ores.

In ores, metals are combined with other elements.

Give two advantages of recycling metals rather than extracting metals from their ores.
(2)
1 ..........................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

2 ..........................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q18.

Metals are extracted from substances naturally occurring in the Earth's crust.

Which of these metals is usually found uncombined in the Earth's crust?

(1)
A calcium

B gold

C iron

D magnesium

(Total for question = 1 mark)

Q19.

Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct . If you change
your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new
answer with a cross .

Some metals are found in the Earth's crust as uncombined elements.

Reactive metals are found in ores.

In ores, metals are combined with other elements.

Which of these metals is found as the uncombined element in the Earth's crust?
(1)
A aluminium
B gold
C potassium
D zinc

(Total for question = 1 mark)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q20.

Metals are extracted from substances naturally occurring in the Earth's crust.

(i) The environmental impact of a product is assessed in a life-cycle assessment.

The stages in this assessment are given below.
They are not in the correct order.
A disposal of the product
B manufacturing the product
C obtaining and processing the raw materials
D using the product
List the stages of the life-cycle assessment, using letters A, B, C, D, in the correct order
from start to finish.
(2)

(ii) Aluminium can be obtained by recycling aluminium waste.

Give two advantages of obtaining aluminium by recycling aluminium waste rather than
mining the raw material and extracting aluminium from that raw material.
(2)
1 ..........................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

2 ..........................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 4 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q21.

Most metals are extracted from ores found in the Earth's crust.

The method used to extract a metal from its ore is linked to the reactivity of the metal.

Part of the reactivity series is shown in Figure 14.

Figure 14

Predict the method that will have to be used to extract calcium from its ore.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 1 mark)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q22.

Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct . If you change
your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new
answer with a cross .

Three different metals are added to separate test tubes of acid.

The observations are shown in Figure 4.

(i) Place the metals in order of reactivity from most to least reactive.
(1)
most reactive ...........................................................

...........................................................

least reactive ...........................................................

(ii) Hydrogen is given off when magnesium reacts with acid.

The hydrogen is tested by collecting the gas in a test tube and igniting it.
What is the safest way to ignite the gas?
(1)
A add fuel to the test tube
B heat the test tube with a Bunsen burner
C put a lighted splint at the open end of the test tube
D put the test tube in an oven

(iii) State the observation made in this test that shows that the gas is hydrogen.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q23.

Most metals are extracted from ores found in the Earth's crust.

The method used to extract a metal from its ore is linked to the reactivity of the metal.

Part of the reactivity series is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

In recent years, researchers have been investigating alternative methods of extracting

metals from soils.

Researchers have found that growing certain plants in appropriate areas can result in the
phytoextraction of copper.

Describe how growing plants can result in the phytoextraction of copper.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q24.

A student placed a piece of metal P in a test tube containing excess dilute sulfuric acid.
The student repeated this with three other metals, Q, R and S.
All the pieces of all four metals were the same size.

(i) The student recorded the observations until each metal had reacted with the acid for two
minutes.
The observations are shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9

Use this information to put the four metals in order of reactivity from the least reactive to the
most reactive.
(2)

(ii) Complete the diagram below to show how the student could add to the apparatus to
measure the volume of gas produced in the two minutes.
(2)

(Total for question = 4 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q25.

Calcium and potassium react with water in similar ways.

(i) One similarity in the reactions is that hydrogen gas is produced.

State one other similarity in the products of the reactions of calcium and potassium with
water.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

(ii) Potassium is higher in the reactivity series than calcium and reacts more vigorously with
water than calcium reacts with water.
State why potassium is higher in the reactivity series and reacts more vigorously with
water than calcium.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q26.

Iron is extracted by heating iron oxide with carbon.

Electrolysis of molten iron oxide is not used to extract iron.

(i) State why iron can be extracted by heating iron oxide with carbon.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(ii) State why electrolysis is not used to extract iron.

(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 2 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q27.

Some nickel ores contain nickel sulfide.

(i) In the first stage of extracting nickel from nickel sulfide, the nickel sulfide, NiS, is heated
in air to form nickel oxide, NiO, and sulfur dioxide.
Write the balanced equation for this reaction.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(ii) In the final stage of the extraction process, a nickel compound is electrolysed to produce
pure nickel.
An advantage of producing a metal by electrolysis is that
(1)
A electrolysis uses a large amount of electricity

B the metal produced by electrolysis is very pure

C electrolysis is a very cheap method of extraction

D electrolysis is the only method of extracting unreactive metals

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q28.

Metals are extracted from substances naturally occurring in the Earth's crust.

Zinc can be extracted by heating zinc oxide with carbon.

The products are zinc and carbon dioxide.

(i) Write the word equation for this reaction.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(ii) In this reaction zinc oxide loses oxygen.

State the type of reaction taking place when an oxide loses oxygen.
(1)
......................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 3 marks)

Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Mark Scheme
Q1.
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q2.
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q3.

Q4.
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q5.

Q6.

Q7.
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q8.

Q9.
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q10.

Q11.
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q12.

Q13.
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q14.

Q15.
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q16.

Q17.

Q18.

Q19.
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q20.

Q21.

Q22.
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q23.

Q24.
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q25.

Q26.
Edexcel Chemistry GCSE - Obtaining and using metals PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q27.

Q28.