What is cryolite used in the extraction of Aluminium ?

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Solution

Dear student,

Cryolite is a common compound of aluminium that is formulated as Na₃AlF₆. Aluminium metal is usually extracted by bauxite ore. It is oxide of aluminium and is mainly used to extract aluminium metal through electrolysis process.

During the electrolysis; molten bauxite is required and cryolite is added to reduce the melting point of bauxite ore.

Hence to reduce the melting point of bauxite ore and make it more conductive, cryolite is added in aluminium metallurgy.

Regards.

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