Explain giving one example how highly reactive metals which are high up in the reactivity series are...

Question

Explain giving one example how highly reactive metals which are high up in the reactivity series are extracted

Accepted Answer

The highly reactive metals are extracted by the electrolytic reduction of their molten chlorides or oxides.

Example: Sodium metal is extracted by the electrolytic reduction of molten sodium chloride. When electric current is passed through molten sodium chloride, it decomposes to form sodium metal and chlorine gas.

2NaCl(l) → 2Na(s) + Cl₂(g)

Lakhmir Singh Solutions Class 10 Chemistry Solutions for Exercise in Chapter 3 - Chapter 3 Metals and Non Metals