Question

How is aluminium extracted through electrometallurgy? Give the reactions involved.

Answer 1

It is extracted by the electrolysis of molten alumina (Al₂O₃) dissolved in molten cryolite.

Reaction at Cathode:

\[\ce{Al^{3+} + 3e- -> Al}\]

Reaction at Anode:

\[\ce{2O^{2-} -> O2 + 4e-}\]