Metals like sodium, magnesium, and calcium are obtained by electrolytic reduction. The process involves electrolyzing their molten chlorides, where the metals are deposited at the cathode (negatively charged electrode) while chlorine is liberated at the anode (positively charged electrode).
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Metals like sodium, magnesium, and calcium are obtained from their compounds through electrolysis. Sodium is obtained by the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride (Downs cell). Magnesium is typically extracted by electrolysis of molten magnesium chloride. Calcium, being less reactive, is obtained by the electrolysis of molten calcium chloride. For these metals, electrolysis is favored over reduction with carbon because they are high in the reactivity series, and their oxides are thermodynamically more stable than carbonates or sulfides. Electrolysis allows for the direct extraction of these metals from their molten salts, utilizing electrical energy to drive the reduction process.
Metals like sodium, magnesium, and calcium are obtained from their compounds through electrolytic reduction or chemical reduction processes:
1. Sodium: Sodium is typically obtained by electrolysis of molten sodium chloride (NaCl) in a Downs cell. In this process, sodium ions migrate to the cathode, where they gain electrons and deposit as molten sodium metal. Chloride ions are oxidized at the anode to form chlorine gas.
2. Magnesium: Magnesium is commonly extracted from its ore, magnesium chloride (MgCl2), through electrolysis. Molten magnesium chloride is electrolyzed in a cell with a graphite cathode and a molten salt anode. Magnesium ions are reduced at the cathode to form molten magnesium metal.
3. Calcium: Calcium is primarily obtained through the electrolytic reduction of calcium chloride (CaCl2) or by the thermal reduction of calcium oxide (CaO) with aluminum in a process called the Pidgeon process.
These processes allow for the extraction of sodium, magnesium, and calcium from their compounds, enabling the production of these metals for various industrial applications.