C14: Metals, Reactivity Series and Extraction
Official Cambridge & Imperial ESAT specification requirements for Metals, Reactivity Series and Extraction on the Chemistry paper. Understand the syllabus boundaries, spot distractor traps engineered by examiners, and master the 2-step Sub-90 shortcuts that compress solve time well below the 88.8-second cutoff.
Official Syllabus Subtopics
Requirements specified in the UAT-UK framework
- 1Reactivity series of metals with water, steam, and dilute acids
- 2Displacement reactions of solid metal oxides (thermite) and aqueous salts
- 3Metal extraction: reduction by carbon (for metals less reactive than C) vs electrolysis (for reactive metals like Al, Na)
- 4Blast furnace chemistry for iron extraction: C + O₂ ⟶ CO₂, CO₂ + C ⟶ 2CO, Fe₂O₃ + 3CO ⟶ 2Fe + 3CO₂
- 5Corrosion and rust prevention: barrier methods, galvanising, and sacrificial protection
Sub-90 Exam Speed Tips
How top candidates solve this spec under the 88.8s clock
Metals above carbon in the reactivity series (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al) CANNOT be reduced by carbon; they must be extracted by electrolysis.
Galvanising protects iron even when scratched because zinc is more reactive and oxidises preferentially (sacrificial protection).
Examiners engineer distractor options using common algebraic expansions and sign slips. Always test structural ratios or invariants before calculating arithmetic values.
Tested Topics in Specification C14
Master the individual question patterns and Sub-90 shortcuts for this specification.
Periodic Table Trends (Groups 1, 17, 18), Metal Reactivity Displacement & Extraction Series
Group 1 vs Group 17 opposite rules: Down Group 1 -> Reactivity UP, Melting Point DOWN. Down Group 17 -> Reactivity DOWN, Boiling Point UP. Extraction threshold: above Carbon (Al, Mg, Na) = Molten Electrolysis; below Carbon (Fe, Zn, Cu) = Carbon Reduction.
Ready to Master Specification C14 Under Exam Conditions?
Practice timed questions under the authentic Pearson VUE interface with live split stopwatch pacing, dry-wipe scratchpad, and distractor forensics.