Why is electrolytic reduction preferred over chemical reduction for the isolation of certain metals?

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Context**: The question asks why electrolytic reduction is preferred over chemical reduction for isolating certain metals. To answer this, we need to consider the nature of the metals being extracted and the processes involved.

2. **Identifying the Metals**: More reactive metals, such as alkali metals (like sodium and potassium) and alkaline earth metals (like magnesium and calcium), are typically extracted using electrolytic reduction. These metals are highly reactive and do not easily undergo reduction through chemical means.

3. **Process of Electrolytic Reduction**: In electrolytic reduction, an external electric current is applied to drive the reduction reaction. This allows for the extraction of metals from their ores by facilitating the transfer of electrons directly to the metal ions.

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