NDA Chemistry · Metals and Non-Metals

Extraction of Metals and Ores

The naturally occurring ores of common metals and the reduction method each metal needs — carbon reduction, electrolysis, or none for native metals.

All Metals and Non-Metals notes NDA Chemistry strategy

Why this matters

A small but reliable pocket — about 2 PYQs of pure recall. The bank asks which ore belongs to which metal (cinnabar → mercury) and which metals can be pulled out with cheap carbon reduction versus expensive electrolysis. The reactivity series decides the method, so this links straight back to the previous subtopic.

Concept 1 of 2

Common ores and their metals

Intuition

An ore is the mineral a metal is profitably extracted from. The bank keeps a short list of named ores and asks which metal each one yields — cinnabar is the famous one for mercury. Learn the name↔metal pairs.

Definition

The high-frequency ore↔metal facts:

Cinnabar (HgS) → Mercury.
Bauxite (Al₂O₃·2H₂O) → Aluminium.
Haematite (Fe₂O₃) → Iron.
Zinc blende (ZnS) → Zinc.
Copper pyrites (CuFeS₂) → Copper.
Galena (PbS) → Lead.

Ore	Formula	Metal
Cinnabar	HgS	Mercury Cinnabar is the ore the bank tests most — it gives mercury.
Bauxite	Al₂O₃·2H₂O	Aluminium
Haematite	Fe₂O₃	Iron
Zinc blende	ZnS	Zinc
Copper pyrites	CuFeS₂	Copper
Galena	PbS	Lead

Cinnabar = mercury, bauxite = aluminium, haematite = iron, galena = lead.

Practice this concept4 quick reps

Practice — Level 1 (4 reps)

Quick reps to lock in the method. Try each, then check.

1.
Cinnabar is an ore of which metal?
2.
Bauxite is the ore of which metal?
3.
Which metal is extracted from haematite?
4.
Galena is an ore of which metal?

From the bank · past-year question

Example 1Metals and Non-MetalsEASY

Cinnabar is an ore of which one of the following?

[Q125 · Sep · 2021]

Cinnabar is mercury, not copper

Cinnabar (HgS) is the ore of mercury. Copper comes from copper pyrites (CuFeS₂); don't confuse the two sulphide ores.

Concept 2 of 2

Extraction method versus reactivity

Intuition

How a metal is pulled out of its ore depends on where it sits in the reactivity series. The least reactive metals are found native; mid-reactivity metals are reduced cheaply with carbon (coke); the most reactive metals hold their oxygen so tightly that only electrolysis works. The bank's favourite split is 'which metal can be extracted using carbon as reducing agent?'

Definition

Method by reactivity band:

Most reactive (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al) → electrolysis of the molten ore. Carbon cannot reduce them — for example aluminium needs electrolytic reduction.
Moderately reactive (Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu) → reduction with carbon (coke). Example: ZnO + C → Zn + CO, so zinc is extracted with carbon.
Least reactive (Ag, Au, Pt) → occur native (as the free metal); little or no reduction needed.

Reactivity band	Extraction method	Example
Most reactive (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al)	Electrolysis of molten ore	Aluminium by electrolysis Carbon CANNOT reduce these — they bind oxygen too strongly. Aluminium is the classic 'needs electrolysis' answer.
Moderate (Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu)	Reduction with carbon (coke)	ZnO + C → Zn + CO
Least reactive (Ag, Au)	Found native; no reduction	Gold occurs as free metal

Carbon reduction works for moderate metals (Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu); reactive metals need electrolysis; noble metals occur native.

Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps

Try it yourself

Of aluminium, zinc, silver and gold, which one is extracted by reducing its oxide with carbon?

Practice — Level 1 (4 reps)

Quick reps to lock in the method. Try each, then check.

1.
Which method extracts aluminium?
2.
Can zinc be extracted by carbon reduction?
3.
How does gold occur in nature?
4.
Why can't carbon reduce sodium or aluminium?

From the bank · past-year question

Example 2Metals and Non-MetalsMODERATE

Which one of the following metals can be extracted using carbon as reducing agent?

[Q113 · Sep · 2023]

Aluminium needs electrolysis, not carbon

Aluminium is too high in the reactivity series for carbon reduction; it is extracted by electrolysis of molten alumina. Only the moderate metals (Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu) yield to carbon.

Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance

A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.

Reference tables (2)

Common ores and their metals6 rows

Ore	Formula	Metal
Cinnabar	HgS	Mercury Cinnabar is the ore the bank tests most — it gives mercury.
Bauxite	Al₂O₃·2H₂O	Aluminium
Haematite	Fe₂O₃	Iron
Zinc blende	ZnS	Zinc
Copper pyrites	CuFeS₂	Copper
Galena	PbS	Lead

Cinnabar = mercury, bauxite = aluminium, haematite = iron, galena = lead.

Extraction method versus reactivity3 rows

Reactivity band	Extraction method	Example
Most reactive (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al)	Electrolysis of molten ore	Aluminium by electrolysis Carbon CANNOT reduce these — they bind oxygen too strongly. Aluminium is the classic 'needs electrolysis' answer.
Moderate (Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu)	Reduction with carbon (coke)	ZnO + C → Zn + CO
Least reactive (Ag, Au)	Found native; no reduction	Gold occurs as free metal

Carbon reduction works for moderate metals (Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu); reactive metals need electrolysis; noble metals occur native.

Watch out for (2)

Cinnabar is mercury, not copper
→ Common ores and their metals
Aluminium needs electrolysis, not carbon
→ Extraction method versus reactivity

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