Question

 Answer the following questions based on the extraction of aluminium from alumina by Hall - Heroult’s Process : 
What is the function of cryolite used along with alumina as the electrolyte? 

Answer 1

 In the extraction of aluminium, the metal is to be isolated from alumina (Al₂O₃) by carrying out its electrolytic reduction. The melting point of alumina veery high (2323K).

•  It is therefore, mixed will cryolite  ( Na₂AlF₆ ) which lowers its melting point to 1173 k.
•  More over, cryolite also increase the electrical conductivity of alumina.