Chemistry 0620 · IGCSE · Electrolysis

Electrolysis — practice question

Aluminium is obtained by the electrolysis of purified bauxite. Which row gives the half-equations at the electrodes and states why one of the electrodes must be replaced regularly?

  • AAnode: $2\text{O}^{2-} \rightarrow \text{O}_2 + 4e^-$; Cathode: $\text{Al}^{3+} + 3e^- \rightarrow \text{Al}$; cathode replaced as it gets coated with aluminium
  • BAnode: $2\text{O}^{2-} \rightarrow \text{O}_2 + 4e^-$; Cathode: $\text{Al}^{3+} + 3e^- \rightarrow \text{Al}$; anode replaced as it burns away in oxygen
  • CAnode: $\text{Al}^{3+} + 3e^- \rightarrow \text{Al}$; Cathode: $2\text{O}^{2-} \rightarrow \text{O}_2 + 4e^-$; cathode replaced as it burns away in oxygen
  • DAnode: $\text{Al}^{3+} + 3e^- \rightarrow \text{Al}$; Cathode: $2\text{O}^{2-} \rightarrow \text{O}_2 + 4e^-$; anode replaced as it gets coated with aluminium

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