# Aluminium is a reactive metal, yet it is widely used for making drink cans and aircraft parts because it resists corrosion. Explain why aluminium resists corrosion even though it is a reactive metal, and state why more reactive metals such as sodium cannot be extracted by the same method used to extract aluminium.

> WJEC GCSE Chemistry (Wales) — 2.3 Metals and their extraction · Explain · 4 marks

> Aluminium is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust. It is found in its ore, bauxite, as aluminium oxide. Aluminium is extracted from aluminium oxide by electrolysis. Sodium is even more reactive than aluminium.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Aluminium reacts with oxygen in the air to form a layer of aluminium oxide on its surface
2. This oxide layer prevents further reaction / stops oxygen (and water) reaching the metal underneath
3. Sodium is too reactive / higher in the reactivity series than aluminium, so it cannot be reduced by carbon
4. Sodium (like aluminium) must be extracted by electrolysis instead

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC GCSE Chemistry (Wales)](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/aluminium-is-a-reactive-metal-yet-954a5105) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.