CAIE IGCSE Chemistry Reactivity and Metal Extraction

Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 syllabus for exams in 2026, 2027 and 20282026–2028

Practise selecting extraction by carbon reduction or electrolysis from a metal's position relative to carbon and applying the method to named ores.

How this is tested

use carbon reduction for metals below carbon when their oxide can be reduced economically
use electrolysis for metals above carbon because their compounds cannot be reduced by carbon
apply roasting and reduction equations to zinc ores and explain collection of zinc vapour

[Maximum number: 1]

Iron ore contains iron(III) oxide, $\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}$ . A blast furnace is used to extract iron from $\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}$ .
Equations for some of the reactions in the blast furnace are shown.

equation $1 \mathrm{C}+\mathrm{O}_{2} \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_{2}$

equation $2 \mathrm{CaCO}_{3} \rightarrow \mathrm{CaO}+\mathrm{CO}_{2}$

equation $3 \quad \mathrm{CaO}+\mathrm{SiO}_{2} \rightarrow \mathrm{CaSiO}_{3}$

Aluminium cannot be extracted from its ore using a blast furnace.

State why aluminium is not extracted from its ore using a blast furnace.

How this is tested

Question 1(e)(i)