Chemistry
During the extraction of aluminium bauxite, its principal ore is reduced by the electrolytic method. Why?
Answer
Alumina (Al2O3) in bauxite is a very stable oxide because aluminium has a strong affinity for oxygen making the bond between aluminum and oxygen very strong. Hence, it cannot be reduced by common reducing agents like carbon, carbon monoxide or hydrogen. Therefore, aluminium is extracted by electrolytic reduction.
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