Where metals are found

The idea

Metals low in the reactivity series are often found free, the most reactive ones are never found free, and those in the middle occur mainly as oxides, sulphides or carbonates; many ores are oxides as oxygen is reactive and abundant.

Gold in the ground

Gold is found in the free state. Sodium is never found as a free element in nature.

What decides how a metal is found in nature?

• How reactive the metal is
• Its colour
• Its price

Free or combined

Tap the group each metal belongs to.

Reactivity decides

Metals at the bottom of the series are very unreactive, so they are often found free. Metals at the top (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al) are so reactive that they are never found free. Those in the middle (Zn, Fe, Pb) are moderately reactive and are mainly found as oxides, sulphides or carbonates. Many ores are oxides, because oxygen is very reactive and very abundant on the earth.

Metals low in the reactivity series are often found free, the most reactive ones are never found free, and those in the middle occur mainly as oxides, sulphides or carbonates; many ores are oxides as oxygen is reactive and abundant.

Notes

Low metals are often free, top metals are never free, middle metals are oxides, sulphides or carbonates; many ores are oxides because oxygen is reactive and abundant.

Check yourself

Which metal is often found in the free state?

Metals at the top of the series (K, Na, Ca, Mg, Al) are found in nature ...

Metals in the middle of the series, such as Zn, Fe and Pb, are mainly found as ...

Why are the ores of many metals oxides?

• Sodium. Sodium is so reactive that it is never found free.
• Zinc. Zinc is in the middle of the series and is found mainly as oxides, sulphides or carbonates.
• Gold — correct. Yes!
• in compounds, never as free elements — correct. Yes!
• always as free metals. They are so reactive that they are never found in nature as free elements.
• as shining free lumps. Gold, silver and platinum may be found free, but the metals at the top are never found free.
• free metals. Free metals are found low in the series; the middle metals are moderately reactive.
• oxides, sulphides or carbonates — correct. Yes!
• chlorides in seawater. The book names oxides, sulphides or carbonates for the middle metals.
• Oxygen is a metal. Oxygen is a non-metal; the reason is that it is reactive and abundant.
• Oxygen is rare on the earth. The book says oxygen is very abundant on the earth.
• Oxygen is very reactive and very abundant on the earth — correct. Yes!