A metallurgical engineer is reviewing processes for extracting metals from their oxides. They note that while iron can be extracted by reduction with carbon in a blast furnace, this process cannot be used for aluminium.
Explain, with reference to the relative reactivity of the elements involved, why carbon reduction is unsuitable for extracting aluminium from aluminium oxide, and state the process that must be used instead.
Practise Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Obtaining and using metals with exam-style questions for Foundation and Higher tier. 100 questions, matched to the Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0) specification and written in Paper 1 and Paper 2 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.