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Electrolysis and extraction of aluminiumElectrolysis of molten ionic compounds

Electrolysis involves using electricity to break down electrolytes to form elements. The products of electrolysis can be predicted for a given electrolyte. Aluminium is one metal which is extracted from its ore by this method.

Part of Chemistry (Single Science)Metals and their extraction

Electrolysis of molten ionic compounds

This is what happens during .

  • Positively-charged ions move to the negative (). They receive electrons and are .
  • Negatively-charged ions move to the positive electrode (). They lose electrons and are .
  • The substance that is broken down is called the .
Two electrodes connected to a cell. The negative electrode (cathode) attracts positive ions and the positive electrode (anode) attracts negative ions.

Ionic substances contain called . For example, lead(II) bromide (PbBr2) contains positively charged lead ions (Pb2+) and negatively charged bromide ions (Br).

Electrolysis is the process by which ionic substances are decomposed (broken down) into simpler substances when an electric current is passed through them.

Electricity is the flow of or ions. For electrolysis to work, the must contain ions. compounds cannot act as electrolytes because they contain neutral .

The ions must be free to move, which is possible when an ionic substance is in water or it is melted. For example, if electricity is passed through lead(II) bromide, the lead(II) bromide is broken down to form lead and bromine.

The electrolysis of molten lead bromide, where it is broken down to form lead positive lead ions (attracted to the negative electrode) and negative bromine ions (attracted to the positive electrode).