Bauxite is the ore of

1. Analyze the question The question asks which metal is extracted from the ore called bauxite.

2. Explain the concept An ore is a naturally occurring mineral from which a metal can be extracted profitably. Some common Nigerian exam ores and their metals:

| Ore | Metal | |---|---| | Bauxite (Al₂O₃·2H₂O) | Aluminium | | Haematite (Fe₂O₃) | Iron | | Limestone (CaCO₃) | Calcium | | Rock salt (NaCl) | Sodium | | Magnesite (MgCO₃) / Carnallite | Magnesium | | Cassiterite (SnO₂) | Tin | | Galena (PbS) | Lead |

3. Show the solution

• Bauxite is hydrated aluminium oxide, Al₂O₃·2H₂O.
• It is purified (the Bayer process) to give pure alumina, Al₂O₃.
• The alumina is dissolved in molten cryolite (Na₃AlF₆) and electrolysed (the Hall-Héroult process) to give aluminium metal.

Since bauxite contains aluminium oxide, it is the ore of aluminium.

4. Answer A. aluminium

5. Tip Remember "Bauxite → Aluminium" (B comes before A, so think "Before Aluminium"). Also note that haematite goes with iron, which is the usual distractor in questions like this.