THE THEORY

BEHIND
ELECTROLYSIS
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
• Understand the use of Aluminum
• Describe how Aluminum is extracted from its ore
Bauxite
• Analyze the economic importance of extraction of
aluminum.
ELECTROLYSIS

Where an ionic substance is broken down into smaller substances

using electricity

Define electricity:
Flow of _________________________
 BREAK IT DOWN
CAT(+I)ON IS POSITIVE
ANION(-) IS NEGATIVE

• NaCl---------------->

• MgO---------------->
Identify a cation and
anion
• PbCl2---------------->

• Al2O3---------------->
ANSWERS

• NaCl----------------> Na+ + Cl-

• MgO---------------->Mg+2 + O2-

• PbCl2---------------->Pb+2 +2Cl-

• Al2O3---------------->Al+3 + O2-
 ELECTROLYSIS
• ELECTRODE:

• A conductor that allows the flow of

• electricity into the electrolyte.
Usually made out of graphite

• ELECTROLYTE:

• A SOLUTION THAT ALLOWS THE FLOW OF

ELECTRICITY.
• THROUGH MOVEMENT OF IONS.
ANODE AND CATHODE
LEARNING OBJECTIVE

• Understand the working of electrolytic cell.

• Able to understand the product of electrolysis.
• Use of electrolysis
ANODE AND CATHODE
• ANODE:(positive charge)
ELECTRODE AT WHICH
OXIDATION OCCURS

CATHODE:(negative charge)
ELECTRODE WHERE REDUCTION OCCUR.
WORKING:
WORKING:
USE OF ELECTROLYS

• (A) EXTRACTION OF METALS

• Electroplating with metals.
• Purification of metals.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE

To know the use of Aluminum

Able be able to identify what is an ore.
Understand the extraction of Aluminum by electrolysis
Use of electrolysis
EXTRACTION OF ALUMINIUM
HOW ALUMINIUM IS EXTRACTED?

• Using Bauxite ORE.

• WHAT IS A ORE?
• It is a mineral from which metals can be extracted economically.
HOW TO GET ALUMINUM FROM BAUXITE?
ELECTROLYSIS
• At the cathode (negative electrode):
• Al3+ + 3e- → Al
• At the anode (positive electrode):

• 2O2- → O2 + 4e-

• molten cryolite (role)

• This is because aluminium oxide has a melting point of over 2000°C which would use a lot of
energy and be very expensive
• The resulting mixture has a lower melting point without interfering with the reaction
 EXTENSION:

• The carbon in the graphite anodes reacts with the oxygen produced to produce CO2

• C (s) + O2 (g) → CO2 (g)

• As a result the anode wears away and has to be replaced regularly

• A lot of electricity is required for this process of extraction, this is a major expense
ALUMINUM WAS VALUED MORE THAN GOLD

• Aluminum is one of the most plentiful substances on Earth—the most common metal
found in the planet's crust.
• despite being incredibly plentiful, aluminum was also very rare, and therefore valued:
Napoleon honored guests by setting their table places with aluminum silverware, even
over gold.
REVIEW

• What is oxidation?
• What is reduction?
• What is electrolysis?
• Explain the electrolysis of molten NaCl.