• What metals can we get from the ores mentioned in the Table-1?
• Can you arrange these metals in the order of their reactivity?
• What do you notice in Table - 2?

    You will notice that the ores of many metals are oxides and sulphides.
This is why oxygen - sulphur (16th group) group is called chalcogen 
family  (chalco = ore; genus = produce)
   The metals like K, Na, Ca, Mg and Al are so reactive that they are
never found in nature in free state.
   The metals like Zn, Fe, Pb etc., are moderately reactive. They are found
in the earth crust mainly as oxides, sulphides and carbonates.
   Metals like Au, Ag are least reactive and they are found even in free
state in nature.
   Based on reactivity we can arrange metal in descending order of their
reactivity as shown below:
	
K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al
High reactivity


Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu
Moderate reactivity


Hg, Ag, Pt, Au
Low reactivity
 
Can you think how do we get these metals from their ores?
Does the reactivity of a metal and form of its ore (oxides, sulphides,
chlorides, carbonates sulphates) has any relation with process of
extraction?
How are metals extracted from mineral ores?
What methods are to be used?

Let us find.

Extraction of metals from the ores:
    The extraction of a metal from its ore involves mainly three stages.
They are:

1. Concentration or Dressing


2. Extraction of crude metal


3. Refining or purification of the metal.