Chapter 21, Problem 21.123P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason why aluminum production is achieved by electrolysis of bath that contains ${\text{Al}}_{\text{2}}{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}$ but not by electrolysis of ${\text{AlCl}}_{\text{3}}$ has to be identified.

Concept Introduction:

Redox reactions:

A redox reaction is a chemical reaction where both oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously. In a redox reaction, one of the reactants is oxidized, while the other reactant is reduced simultaneously. It can be represented as two half-reactions with electrons. They are as follows:

• Oxidation half-reaction
• Reduction half-reaction

Oxidation: The gain of oxygen or the loss of hydrogen or the loss of an electron in a species during a redox reaction is called as oxidation.

Reduction: The loss of oxygen or the gain of hydrogen or the gain of an electron in a species during a redox reaction is called as reduction.

Oxidizing agent: The substance that is oxidized is called as a reducing agent.

Reducing agent: The substance that is reduced is called as an oxidizing agent.