Question

How is the mehod of extraction of metals high up in the reactivity series different from that for metals in the middle ? Why can same process not to be applied for them? Name the process used for extractoin of thes metals.

Answer 1

Metals high up in reactivity series are extracted by electrolytic reduction.

While those in the middle are extracted first by converting into oxide and then reducing by carbon. 1 Same method cannot be used because metals have more affinity for oxygen than carbon.

Molten sodium chloride is taken for electrolytic reduction. The metals are deposited at the cathode

and chlorine is liberated at anode.

At cathode : Na+ + e- → Na

At anode : 2Cl- → Cl2 + 2e-