Metals are extracted from their ores by different methods depending on their position in the activity series

Metals which are extracted by heating, electrolysis and by reduction with carbon respectively are

Options

A. Copper, magnesium, zinc
B. Mercury, aluminium, lead
C. Mercury, sodium, calcium
D. Both (a) and (b)

Answer

D

Explanation

Metals low in the activity series such as mercury, copper are very unreactive. The oxides of these metals can be reduced to metals by heating alone. Metals which are very reactive e.g., Na, Mg, Ca, Al, etc. are obtained by the electrolysis of their Emolten chlorides. The metals in middle of the activity series such as Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, etc., are moderately reactive. The oxides of these metals can be reduced to metals by reduction with carbon.