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Questions and Answers
What role does the iron screen play in the Down Cell?
What role does the iron screen play in the Down Cell?
Which statement about the cathode reaction in the Down Cell is accurate?
Which statement about the cathode reaction in the Down Cell is accurate?
What effect does adding a mixture of NaCl and CaCl₂ have on the melting point during the sodium extraction process?
What effect does adding a mixture of NaCl and CaCl₂ have on the melting point during the sodium extraction process?
Which of the following accurately describes the anode reaction in the Down Cell?
Which of the following accurately describes the anode reaction in the Down Cell?
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Identify the main product formed at the cathode during the electrolysis of NaCl.
Identify the main product formed at the cathode during the electrolysis of NaCl.
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Study Notes
Down Cell
- The Down Cell is an electrolytic cell used to produce sodium metal.
- A cylindrical container, with a graphite anode and a steel cathode immersed in molten sodium chloride, houses the process.
- The melting point of NaCl is 801°C, but adding a mixture of one mole of NaCl and three moles of CaCl₂ lowers it to 600°C.
- An electric current is passed through the molten salt, forcing positively charged sodium ions (Na+) towards the negatively charged cathode.
- Sodium ions gain an electron at the cathode, becoming sodium atoms (Na) in a reduction reaction.
- Chlorine gas is released at the anode (oxidation).
- An iron screen separates the anode and cathode to prevent direct reaction between them.
- The overall reaction is 2NaCl(l) → 2Na(l) + Cl₂(g).
Half-Cell Reactions
- At the cathode (reduction): Na⁺(l) + e⁻ → Na(l)
- At the anode (oxidation): 2Cl⁻(l) → Cl₂(g) + 2e⁻
Components
- Molten NaCl: The electrolyte where the reaction occurs.
- Graphite Anode: The electrode where oxidation occurs.
- Cylindrical Steel Cathode: The electrode where reduction occurs.
- Iron Screen: Separates the anode and cathode, minimizing unwanted reactions.
- Cl₂(g): Chlorine gas, a byproduct of the process.
- Na(l): Molten sodium metal, the main product.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the Down Cell, an electrolytic cell used for producing sodium metal from molten sodium chloride. Participants will explore the chemical reactions, components, and operational mechanisms involved in the process, including the roles of the anode, cathode, and electrolytes.
