explain electrolysis with a labelled diagram
Answers
If Bauxite contains Fe
2
O
3
as impurity, it is purified by Baeyer's process.
Electrolysis of alumina (Hall-Heroult process): Electrolysis of alumina is done in an iron tank fitted with a lining of gas carbon which acts as cathode. Graphite rods act as anode and a bulb is fitted in parallel as indicator for alumina content. The electrolyte is a mixture of alumina and cryolite (Na
3
AlF
6
). The melting point of alumina is very high (2050
o
C). But, in presence of cryolite (Na
3
AlF
6
) and fluorspar (CaF
2
), it melt at 870
o
C. Then pure alumina is added to the tank which dissolve in cryolite mixture.
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Answer:
Electrolysis is defined as a process of decomposing ionic compounds into their elements by passing a direct electric current through the compound in a fluid form.
The cations are reduced at cathode and anions are oxidized at the anode.
For example, acidified or salt-containing water can be decomposed by passing electric current to their original elements hydrogen and oxygen.
Molten sodium chloride can be decomposed to sodium and chlorine atoms.
Electrolysis is usually done in a vessel named ‘electrolytic cell’ containing two electrodes (cathode and anode) connected to a direct current source and an electrolyte which is an ionic compound undergoing decomposition, in either molten form or in a dissolves state in a suitable solvent.
