Edexcel GCSE Chemistry
Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Topic 4: Extracting Metals and Equilibria Exam Questions
Free Edexcel GCSE Chemistry exam questions for Topic 4: Extracting Metals and Equilibria, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers the reactivity series, redox, extracting metals, biological extraction, recycling, life cycle assessment and dynamic equilibrium.
Topic 4: Extracting Metals and Equilibria exam questions
1 question pack of real past exam questions, each with its mark scheme. Do not stop after a few: answer as many as you can without notes, then mark every answer with the mark scheme. The more questions you do, the more quickly you will spot how examiners ask about each idea.
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About Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Topic 4: Extracting Metals and Equilibria
Topic 4 of Edexcel GCSE Chemistry links the reactivity of metals to how they are extracted, then introduces reversible reactions and equilibrium. You place metals in a reactivity series using reactions with water and acids, write displacement and redox equations, and explain why some metals are extracted by heating with carbon and others by electrolysis. Higher tier students also study phytoextraction and bioleaching. You evaluate recycling and life cycle assessments, then study dynamic equilibrium using the Haber process, with Le Chatelier's principle at Higher tier. Topic 4 is assessed on Paper 1 and leads into Topic 5, where separate chemistry extends equilibrium and fertilisers.
What you need to know
- Reactivity series Order: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, (carbon), zinc, iron, (hydrogen), copper, silver, gold. Reactivity is linked to the tendency of a metal to form positive ions. A more reactive metal displaces a less reactive one from its compounds.
- Oxidation and reduction Oxidation is gain of oxygen and reduction is loss of oxygen. Higher tier only: oxidation is loss of electrons and reduction is gain of electrons; in displacement reactions the metal atoms are oxidised and the metal ions are reduced. Redox means both happen together.
- Extracting metals Unreactive metals such as gold occur native. Metals below carbon are extracted by heating the oxide with carbon (reduction); metals above carbon, such as aluminium, are extracted by electrolysis of the molten compound, which is expensive because of the energy needed.
- Biological methods (Higher tier only) Phytoextraction uses plants to absorb metal compounds from soil; the plants are burned and the metal is extracted from the ash. Bioleaching uses bacteria to produce a solution containing metal ions. Both are useful for low-grade ores.
- Recycling and life cycle assessment Recycling saves resources, energy and landfill space but needs collection and sorting. A life cycle assessment considers obtaining raw materials, manufacture, use and disposal of a product.
- Equilibria Reversible reactions are shown with ⇌. In a sealed container dynamic equilibrium is reached when the forward and backward reactions occur at the same rate. The Haber process makes ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen at about 450 °C, about 200 atmospheres and with an iron catalyst. Higher tier only: changing temperature, pressure or concentration shifts the position of equilibrium to oppose the change.
Common mistakes in Topic 4: Extracting Metals and Equilibria
- Saying the most reactive metals are extracted using carbon. Metals above carbon need electrolysis.
- Defining oxidation only as gain of oxygen at Higher tier. You must also use loss of electrons for ionic equations.
- Saying reactions stop at equilibrium. Forward and backward reactions continue at equal rates.
- Saying a catalyst increases the yield of ammonia. It increases the rate at which equilibrium is reached but does not change its position.
- Thinking recycling has no environmental cost. Collection, transport and processing use energy.
Try three Topic 4: Extracting Metals and Equilibria exam-style questions
1. Iron is extracted by heating iron oxide with carbon. Explain why this is a reduction reaction and why aluminium cannot be extracted in this way. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Iron oxide loses oxygen, so it is reduced; aluminium is more reactive than carbon; so carbon cannot remove oxygen from aluminium oxide (electrolysis is needed).
2. Mg(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Mg2+(aq) + Cu(s). Explain, in terms of electrons, which species is oxidised and which is reduced. (2 marks) Higher tier only
Show the mark scheme answer
Magnesium is oxidised because it loses electrons; copper(II) ions are reduced because they gain electrons.
3. Describe what is meant by dynamic equilibrium. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
The forward and backward reactions are occurring at the same rate; so the concentrations of reactants and products remain constant (in a closed system).
Topic 4: Extracting Metals and Equilibria FAQs
What does Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Topic 4 cover?
It covers the reactivity series, displacement and redox, extracting metals using carbon, electrolysis and biological methods, recycling and life cycle assessment, and reversible reactions and dynamic equilibrium including the Haber process.
Which paper is Topic 4 on?
Topic 4 Extracting metals and equilibria is assessed on Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Paper 1.
Which parts of Topic 4 are Higher tier only?
Oxidation and reduction in terms of electrons, phytoextraction and bioleaching, and predicting the effect of changing conditions on the position of equilibrium are Higher tier only.
