Name: Alloys and Their Properties
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 8 min 35 s
Description: Learn the basics about alloys and their properties as a part of metallic bonding within the properties of matter topic. Let us deep-dive into this topic.

Question

Explain the electrolytic process of molten sodium chloride.

Accepted Answer

Sodium metal is extracted from the molten sodium chloride by the process of electrolytic reduction. When molten sodium chloride is electrolysed by passing electric current, it decomposes into sodium ions and chloride ions. The sodium ions move towards cathode (negative electrode) while chloride ions move towards anode (positive electrode). These sodium ions gain one electron each at cathode and get reduced to sodium atoms and chloride $({Cl}^{-})$ ions lose electron at anode and get oxidized to chlorine atoms.

Figure showing electrolysis of molten sodium chloride $(NaCl)$ .

The reaction involved is as follows:
$2 NaCl \to 2 Na + {Cl}_{2}$

The reaction taking place at cathode:
${Na}^{+} + e^{-} \to Na$
The reaction taking place at anode:
${Cl}^{-} \to Cl + e^{-} Cl + Cl \to {Cl}_{2}$
Thus, sodium metal is obtained at cathode while chlorine gas is liberated at anode.

Explain the electrolytic process of molten sodium chloride.

Important Questions on Metals and Non-Metals

Learn and Prepare for any exam you want !