# Gold is found naturally as the pure metal in the Earth's crust, whilst copper is found mainly as copper oxide ore. Explain why gold is found as the pure metal and describe how copper can be obtained from copper oxide, identifying the type of reaction that occurs.

> Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0) — 4.1 Obtaining and using metals · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Gold is found as the pure metal because it is very unreactive / low in the reactivity series and so does not readily react with other elements / does not form compounds
2. Copper can be extracted by heating copper oxide with carbon (reduction with carbon)
3. Carbon removes the oxygen from copper oxide / copper oxide loses oxygen to form copper
4. This is a redox reaction because both oxidation and reduction occur / carbon is oxidised (gains oxygen) and copper oxide is reduced (loses oxygen)

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- [Revision notes for Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
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