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General Science • ChemistryMedium

What is the principal ore of aluminum that is extensively purified during the Bayer process to yield pure alumina before electrolytic reduction?

A. Bauxite✓ Correct Answer
B. Hematite
C. Calamine
D. Galena

💡 Solution & Explanation

Bauxite, hydrous aluminum oxide, is the principal commercial ore of aluminum. The Bayer process involves digesting crushed bauxite in hot sodium hydroxide solution to dissolve aluminum oxide as sodium aluminate while leaving insoluble impurities behind. Hematite is an iron ore, calamine is a zinc ore, and galena is a lead ore. Electrolytic reduction of alumina is carried out in molten cryolite via the Hall-Héroult process.

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