Aluminium Extraction Quiz
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5 questions, one answer each
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1. Why can't aluminium be extracted from its oxide by reduction with carbon?
- A. Aluminium oxide does not contain oxygen
- B. Aluminium is more reactive than carbon
- C. Carbon is too expensive to use
- D. Aluminium oxide is not an ionic compound
2. What is cryolite used for in aluminium extraction?
- A. To act as the electrolyte on its own
- B. To dissolve aluminium oxide and lower its melting point
- C. To coat the aluminium once extracted
- D. To react with oxygen at the anode
3. At which electrode does aluminium metal collect during electrolysis?
- A. The positive electrode (anode)
- B. The negative electrode (cathode)
- C. Both electrodes equally
- D. Neither — it stays dissolved
4. A student notices the carbon anodes in an aluminium plant need replacing every few weeks. Which equation explains this?
- A. Al³⁺ + 3e⁻ → Al
- B. 2O²⁻ → O₂ + 4e⁻
- C. C + O₂ → CO₂
- D. 2Al₂O₃ → 4Al + 3O₂
5. An aluminium plant switches to a hypothetical process that melts pure aluminium oxide directly, without cryolite, at over 2000°C instead of about 900°C. What is the main consequence?
- A. The aluminium produced would be less pure
- B. No aluminium would form at all
- C. Energy costs would rise substantially
- D. The anode would no longer react with oxygen