Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry · Syllabus 0620 · Metals
Bauxite
What is Bauxite?
The main ore of aluminium. It is purified to aluminium oxide before the metal is obtained from it by electrolysis, which is necessary because aluminium is above carbon in the reactivity series and so its oxide cannot be reduced by carbon.
This definition is part of the Metals chapter in Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry.
Examiner tips on Bauxite
- How much to write. This statement opens with State. “The main ore of aluminium is bauxite” and “aluminium is extracted by electrolysis” are the two answers, and each stands on its own. If the question adds “explain why electrolysis is used”, add the carbon comparison — and stop there.