In the extraction of aluminium metal, one of the process is summarised as follows :<br>Al2O3.3H2O (b — Metallurgy and Isolation of Elements Chemistry Question
Question
In the extraction of aluminium metal, one of the process is summarised as follows :<br>Al2O3.3H2O (bauxite) Impure $\xrightarrow{\text{hot concentrated 'A'}}$ Product 'B' (aqueous soln.) $\xrightarrow{\text{bubble gas 'C' to change pH}}$ Pure Al2O3.3H2O $\xrightarrow{\text{mix with 'D' melt at 1000}^\circ\text{C}}$ Aluminium at 'E' $\leftarrow$ electrolyse molten material with carbon electrodes<br>Which of the following entries correctly summarises reagents, electrodes & products of the process?
💡 Solution & Explanation
Step 1: Highly reactive metals like alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and rare earth metals have high electropositive character and easily form stable oxides, halides, or carbonates, meaning they are never found free in nature. Step 2: Metals with very low chemical reactivity and very positive reduction potentials (such as Gold, Platinum, and Silver) resist oxidation and chemical attack. Step 3: These unreactive metals are classified as noble metals and are expected to occur in their elemental (native) state in nature, matching option (c).