Question

Out of molten NaCl and aqueous NaCl, which is used for the extraction of sodium and why?

Answer 1

Molten NaCl is used for the extraction of sodium and not aqueous NaCl.

If sodium chloride is melted (above 801 °C), two electrodes are inserted into the melt, and an electric current is passed through the molten salt, then chemical reactions take place at the electrodes .Electrolysis cell for molten sodium chlorideA commercial electrolysis cell for the production of metallic sodium and chlorine gas from molten NaCl. Liquid sodium floats to the top of the melt above the cathode and is drained off into a storage tank. Chlorine gas bubbles out of the melt above the anode.

Sodium ions migrate to the cathode, where electrons enter the melt and are reduced to sodium metal.

Chloride ions migrate the other way, toward the anode. They give up their electrons to the anode and are oxidized to chlorine gas

BUT FOR AQUEOUS NaCl

Well, we can’t forget that we have to factor water into the equation. Since water can be both oxidized and reduced, it competes with the dissolved Na+ and Cl– ions. Rather than producing sodium, hydrogen is produced.