Question

How is the metal extracted from the bauxite ore?

Answer 1

1. Bauxite is digested with hot concentrated NaOH solution.
2. Aluminium oxide dissolves as sodium aluminate; impurities remain undissolved.
3. The solution is filtered to remove impurities.
4. Upon cooling and seeding, aluminium hydroxide precipitates.
5. It is filtered, dried, and heated to obtain pure alumina (Al₂O₃).
6. Alumina is then electrolytically reduced to get aluminium metal.