Question

What is electrolytic reduction? Explain with the help of an example.

Answer 1

Electrolytic reduction

• During electrolysis, the electric current passes through an ionic substance in a molten or dissolved state causing the electrodes to react chemically and the materials to decompose is known as electrolytic reduction.
• This process is applied to electrically reduce the hydroxide, oxide, and chlorides of metals in the combined state.
• The reduced metals are collected at the cathode.
• Metals like Potassium$\left(\mathrm{K}\right)$, Sodium$\left(\mathrm{Na}\right)$, and Aluminium$\left(\mathrm{Al}\right)$ are obtained through the process of electrolytic reduction.

Example

• Aluminum metal$\left(\mathrm{Al}\right)$ is reduced from molten Aluminium oxide$\left({\mathrm{Al}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3\right)$. ${\mathrm{Al}}^{3+}$obtains three electrons from the cathode and turns into$\mathrm{Al}$.
• $$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{Al}}^{3+}+3{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to \mathrm{Al} \\ (\mathrm{Aluminium}\mathrm{ion})\left(\mathrm{electrons}\right)\left(\mathrm{Aluminium}\right) \end{gathered}$$