# Zinc can be extracted from zinc oxide by heating it with carbon. However, sodium cannot be extracted from sodium oxide in the same way. Using your knowledge of the reactivity series, explain why carbon can be used to extract zinc but not sodium.

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

> Zinc oxide is an ore of zinc. Sodium is a very reactive metal found in group 1 of the periodic table.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Carbon can only displace / reduce metals that are less reactive than carbon itself
2. Zinc is less reactive than carbon, so carbon can displace / reduce zinc from zinc oxide
3. Sodium is more reactive than carbon, so carbon cannot displace / reduce sodium from its oxide
4. Sodium must be extracted by a different method such as electrolysis

## Key terms

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

## 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)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/zinc-can-be-extracted-from-zinc-b1fc3e61) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.