Extraction Using Electrolysis Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

PERSONALISED 1-TO-1 TUTORING

Need more help on this topic? Get 1-to-1 support

Get support with clear explanations, practice and feedback (Ages 5 to 16).

  • DBS-checked tutors
  • Flexible times
  • Parents can be updated
Book a free 10-min call See pricing

Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to remove ads

What is electrolysis?

Electrolysis is using electricity to split up a molten or dissolved ionic compound.

Why is electrolysis used to extract some metals from their ores?

Because the metals are too reactive to be extracted with carbon, so electricity must be used instead.

Why must the ionic compound be molten or dissolved for electrolysis to work?

The ions must be free to move so they can carry charge to the electrodes.

In electrolysis for metal extraction, what happens at the negative electrode (cathode)?

Positive metal ions move to the cathode, gain electrons, and turn into metal atoms.

From which compound is aluminium metal extracted by electrolysis?

Aluminium is extracted from aluminium oxide, which is made from the ore bauxite.

Why is cryolite mixed with aluminium oxide in the electrolysis cell?

Cryolite lowers the melting point of aluminium oxide, so less energy is needed to melt it.

In aluminium extraction, what forms at the positive carbon electrodes (anodes)?

Oxide ions lose electrons and form oxygen gas at the anodes.

Why do the carbon anodes need to be replaced often in aluminium extraction?

The hot oxygen gas reacts with the carbon anodes to make carbon dioxide, so the anodes wear away.

Where does the aluminium metal collect in the electrolysis cell?

Liquid aluminium collects at the bottom of the cell and is tapped off.

Why is extracting metals by electrolysis more expensive than using carbon?

It needs a lot of electrical energy and very high temperatures, which are costly.

Give one environmental problem linked to extracting aluminium by electrolysis.

It uses large amounts of electricity, often from fossil fuels, which can release a lot of carbon dioxide.

Name one metal that must be extracted by electrolysis, not by heating with carbon.

Aluminium must be extracted by electrolysis because it is more reactive than carbon.

Previous Topic
Back to Lesson
Next Topic