# A student wants to extract three metals — copper, aluminium, and silver — from their metal oxide ores. Explain which of these metals can be extracted by reduction with carbon, and why the remaining metal(s) cannot be extracted using this method.

> AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) — 4.4.1 Reactivity of metals · Explain · 4 marks

> Copper is below carbon in the reactivity series. Aluminium is above carbon in the reactivity series. Silver is below carbon in the reactivity series.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Copper and silver can be extracted by reduction with carbon
2. Because copper and silver are less reactive than carbon
3. Reduction involves the loss of oxygen (from the metal oxide)
4. Aluminium cannot be extracted by reduction with carbon because aluminium is more reactive than carbon

## Key terms

- [reduction with carbon](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/reduction-with-carbon)
- [reduction](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/reduction)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-wants-to-extract-three-a9797579) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.