What does the Metals and their extraction module cover?

This module covers WJEC Unit 2 topic 2.3. It covers the reactivity series and how it is found from reactions with water and acid, displacement reactions, why the extraction method depends on reactivity, reduction with carbon in the blast furnace, electrolysis and the extraction of aluminium, and the properties and recycling of alloys and metals.

Which unit and paper assess this module?

These topics are part of Unit 2 (Chemical bonding, application of chemical reactions and organic chemistry), assessed on the Unit 2 written paper. The paper is 1 hour 45 minutes, worth 80 marks and 45 percent of the qualification, sat at Foundation or Higher tier.

How do you decide how a metal is extracted?

It depends on the metal's position relative to carbon in the reactivity series. A metal less reactive than carbon, such as iron, can be extracted by reduction with carbon. A metal more reactive than carbon, such as aluminium, is too reactive for carbon and must be extracted by electrolysis of its molten oxide.

What are the key reactions to learn?

Reactions of metals with water and dilute acid, displacement reactions of metals from salt solutions, reduction of iron oxide by carbon monoxide in the blast furnace, and the electrode half equations for the electrolysis of molten aluminium oxide.

How should I revise this module?

Learn the reactivity series order and use it to predict displacement and the right extraction method. Learn the blast furnace reactions and the role of limestone. Practise the aluminium electrolysis half equations and the role of cryolite. Explain alloy hardness by distorted layers, and give distinct economic and environmental reasons for recycling. Use WJEC past papers.

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WJEC GCSE Chemistry: Metals and their extraction (Unit 2.3) overview

An overview of the Metals and their extraction module in WJEC GCSE Chemistry (topic 2.3), mapping the reactivity series and displacement, extraction by carbon reduction and the blast furnace, electrolysis and the extraction of aluminium, and alloys and recycling.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.87 min readWJEC Chemistry 2.3Updated 2026-06-14

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

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The topics in this module
How this module fits the exam
How to study this module

The Metals and their extraction module covers WJEC Unit 2 topic 2.3. It is about how we order metals by reactivity, how that order decides the way a metal is pulled out of its ore, and why alloys and recycling matter. This page maps the module and links to a focused answer page for each part.

The topics in this module

The reactivity series and displacement: Ordering metals from reactions with water and acid, and displacement of less reactive metals from their salts. See The reactivity series and displacement.
Extraction of metals and the blast furnace: Ores, reduction with carbon for metals below carbon, and the reactions that make iron in the blast furnace. See Extraction of metals and the blast furnace.
Electrolysis and the extraction of aluminium: Electrolysis of molten ionic compounds, the electrode reactions, and the extraction of aluminium using cryolite. See Electrolysis and the extraction of aluminium.
Alloys and recycling metals: Why alloys are harder than pure metals, and the economic and environmental reasons for recycling. See Alloys and recycling metals.

How this module fits the exam

These topics sit in Unit 2, assessed on the Unit 2 written paper (1 hour 45 minutes, 80 marks, 45%). Questions test the reactivity series, displacement and reduction equations, electrolysis half equations, and the reasoning behind extraction methods and recycling.

How to study this module

Learn the reactivity series. Use the order to predict displacement and the extraction method.
Link reactivity to method. Below carbon means reduction with carbon; above carbon means electrolysis.
Know the blast furnace. Carbon monoxide reduces iron oxide, and limestone removes impurities as slag.
Practise half equations. Aluminium at the cathode, oxygen at the anode, electrons balanced to the charge.
Explain alloys and recycling. Distorted layers make alloys harder; recycling saves energy and conserves ore.

Then test yourself with the module quiz.

Sources & how we know this

WJEC GCSE Chemistry specification (from 2016) — WJEC (2016)