What are the different methods used to extract metals?
Metals are extracted from their ores using different methods depending on their position in the reactivity series.
Splitting up a liquid or dissolved compound into its elements using electricity. of molten compounds is used to extract the most reactive metals.
In principle, all metals can be extracted using electrolysis but it is expensive.
If a metal is less reactive than carbon, it is cheaper to extract it by heating with carbon or carbon monoxide.
The very least reactive metals, such as gold, occur as pure elements, but may be contaminated with other elements.
They are cleaned through various chemical reactions.
