General Science • ChemistryHard
In the extraction of pure aluminum metal from purified bauxite ore via the Hall-Héroult electrolytic process, what is the specific function of cryolite added to the molten alumina bath?
A. It acts as a strong reducing agent to convert aluminum oxide directly into aluminum metal
B. It lowers the melting point of the alumina mixture and increases electrical conductivity✓ Correct Answer
C. It prevents the oxidation of graphite anodes during the high temperature electrolysis
D. It forms a protective slag layer on top of the molten metal to prevent atmospheric contamination
💡 Solution & Explanation
Alumina has a very high melting point of over two thousand degrees Celsius, so adding synthetic cryolite lowers this melting point to about nine hundred fifty degrees and improves electrical conductivity, saving significant thermal energy. Charles Hall and Paul Héroult independently discovered this industrial method. Carbon anodes are consumed during the process, releasing carbon dioxide.
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