In an electrolytic tank, aluminium metal is being extracted by the electrolysis of molten aluminium oxide using carbon electrodes. It is observed that one of the carbon electrodes is gradually burnt away and has to be replaced.
(a) Which carbon electrode (cathode or anode) is burnt away?
(b) Why is this carbon electrode burnt away?
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(A) Anode is burnt away
(B)The carbon gets converted into CO and CO2
(B)The carbon gets converted into CO and CO2
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(a) Anode is burnt away.
(b) Because the oxygen that is produced during the process of molten aluminium oxide electrolysis reacts with the carbon anode’s carbon gradully and forms carbon dioxide.
Explanation:
- (a) Anode is the positively charged electrode that burns away.
- (b) During the electrolysis, at the cathode, pure metal is formed. And at the anode, oxygen is formed. Carbon dioxide is formed when this oxygen reacts with the carbon electrode that is positiely charged.
- Because of the reaction between the anode and oxygen, the carbon electrode will be replaced as the carbon electrode burns away.
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