Q17 / 90 · JEE Main 2023 (30 Jan Shift 2) · Chemistry

Given below are two statements:

Statement I: During Electrolytic refining, the pure metal is made to act as anode and its impure metallic form is used as cathode.
Statement II: During the Hall-Heroult electrolysis process, purified Al2O3 is mixed with Na3AlF6 to lower the melting point of the mixture.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

  • Correct answer
    A
    Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
  • B
    Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
  • C
    Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
  • D
    Both Statement I and Statement II are correct

Solution

In Electrolytic refining, the pure metal is used as cathode and impure metal is used as anode. Electrolytic refining of aluminium is called Hall-Heroult process. 

Na3AlF6 is added during electrolysis of Al2O3 to lower the melting point and increase conductivity.
Reactions at cathode and anode are as follows:
Cathode: Al3+(melt) + 3e- → Al(l)

Anode: C(s) + O2- (melt) → CO(g) + 2e-C(s) + 2O2- (melt) → CO2  (g) + 4e-

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.

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