Native Metals
What are native metals?
- Unreactive metals do not have to be extracted chemically as they are often found as the uncombined element
- This occurs as they do not easily react with other substances due to their chemical stability
- They are known as native metals and examples include gold and silver which can both be mined directly from the Earth’s crust
- The position of the metal on the reactivity series influences the method of extraction
- Those metals placed higher up on the series (above carbon) have to be extracted using electrolysis
- Metals lower down on the series can be extracted by heating with carbon in a reduction reaction
The Extraction Method Depends on the Position of a Metal in the Reactivity Series
| Metal | Method of Extraction |
| Most reactive | |
| Potassium |
Extracted by electrolysis of molten chloride or molten oxide Large amount of electricity required so expensive process |
| Sodium | |
| Lithium | |
| Calcium | |
| Magnesium | |
| Aluminium | |
| Carbon | |
| Zinc | Extracted by heating with reducing agent such as carbon or carbon monoxide |
| Iron | |
| Hydrogen | |
| Copper | Found as pure elements (copper may have to be extracted from it's ore by heating with carbon or hydrogen) |
| Silver | |
| Gold | |
| Least reactive | |
