# A student investigates the extraction of metals from their oxides by heating each oxide with carbon. Copper oxide, zinc oxide and magnesium oxide are each heated separately with excess carbon. State which oxides are reduced by carbon and, for each case, explain why carbon is or is not able to reduce the oxide. Include the role of carbon as a reducing agent in your answer.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry (4CH1) — 2.4 Reactivity series · Explain · 4 marks

> In the reactivity series, the order from most to least reactive is: magnesium, zinc, carbon, copper.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Copper oxide is reduced by carbon / copper is extracted by reduction with carbon
2. Zinc oxide is reduced by carbon / zinc can be extracted by reduction with carbon
3. Magnesium oxide is NOT reduced by carbon because magnesium is more reactive than carbon
4. Carbon acts as a reducing agent by removing oxygen from the metal oxide / carbon itself is oxidised (gains oxygen) during the reaction

## Key terms

- [reducing agent](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/reducing-agent)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry (4CH1)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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