Extraction of Aluminium (Important Example)
Aluminium is primarily extracted from the ore bauxite, chemically represented as Al₂O₃·2H₂O. The extraction process involves electrolytic reduction, which is significant due to aluminium's extensive applications in technology and industry. The method consists of dissolving molten alumina in cryolite to lower the melting point and enhance conductivity. The electrolysis process involves two key reactions:
Al³⁺ + 3e⁻ → Al (Reducing aluminium ions to form aluminium metal)
O²⁻ → ½O₂ + 2e⁻ (Oxidizing oxide ions to form oxygen gas)
The electrolysis of alumina plays a crucial role in meeting global aluminium demand, making the understanding of this process essential in metallurgy.