The reduction of ore to particular metal mainly depends on position of metal in the activity series.
Extraction of metals at the top of activity series. .
- Simple chemical reduction methods like heating with C, CO etc., to reduce the ores of the metals are not possible with metals like K, Na, Ca, Mg and Al.
- The temperature required for the reduction is too high and more expensive.
- The only method used to extract these metals is by electrolysis of their fused compounds.