a For the reduction of a metal oxide suggest a reducing agent other than carbon b Explain why an aqu...

Question

a For the reduction of a metal oxide suggest a reducing agent other than carbon b Explain why an aqueous solution of sodium chloride is not used for the electrolytic extraction of sodium metal

Accepted Answer

a Aluminium can be used as a reducing agent other than carbon For example when treated with iron ore aluminium releases iron metal Fesub2subOsub3sub 2Al 2Fe Alsub2subOsub3sub b Electrolysis is done in an aqueous solution of sodium chloride the sodium metal is produced at the cathode and reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide Thus electrolysis of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride will produce sodium hydroxide but not sodium metal Note Water acts as both oxidizing and reducing agent and thus competes with Na and Cl ions in the aqueous sodium chloride solution

Lakhmir Singh Solutions Class 10 Chemistry Solutions for Exercise in Chapter 3 - Chapter 3 Metals and Non Metals