Electrolysis of aluminium

Aluminium is higher than iron and carbon in the reactivity series, so

we need much more energy to extract it. One of the most common
ores is bauxite which is impure aluminium oxide.

First the aluminium oxide is purified, then dissolved in molten

cryolite which lowers its melting point from over 2000˚C to about
900˚C. Electricity passes through the melted ore separating the
aluminium ions (Al3+) from the oxygen ions (O2-). The positive
aluminium ions move towards the negatively charged cathode which
lines the tank where it picks up 3 electrons to form aluminium atoms.

Al3+ + 3e- → Al

The dense aluminium sinks and is drained away that can be

extracted as bulk aluminium metal.

The negative oxide ions move towards the positive anodes where
they lose 2 electrons to become oxygen gas.

2O2- - 4e- -> O2

The full equation is:

Aluminium oxide -> aluminium + oxygen

2Al2O3 -> 4Al + 3O2

Questions:

1) What is the most common aluminium ore called?

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2) Why can’t aluminium be extracted in the blast furnace?

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3) Why must the aluminium ore be purified before it

undergoes electrolysis?
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4) Why is cryolite added?
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5) To which electrode do aluminium ions travel to?
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6) To which electrode do oxygen ions travel to?

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7) At which electrode does reduction take place?

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8) At which electrode does oxidation take place?
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9) Suggest why the anodes need to be replaced from time to
time.

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10) Write a word equation for the reaction between

oxygen and the carbon (HINT!......) anode.
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