Question

Suggest a list of metals that are extracted electrolytically.

Answer 1

Hint: Very reactive metals are extracted electrolytically. In a reactivity series of metals, the element which is most reactive is placed at top of reactivity series and the element with least reactive is placed at the bottom of reactivity series. In series reactivity is increased from bottom to top.

Step by step answer: In chemistry, electrolysis is a process in which electricity is passed through electrolyte cells to separate the chemically bonded elements. Through electrolysis any metal can be extracted but it will cost a lot. As electrolysis is costly so only most reactive metals of series are extracted which cannot be extracted through other ways. It is expensive because it uses a lot of electricity.

In a reactivity series, metals like Aluminium, Magnesium, Calcium, Lithium, Sodium, Potassium are on top of it. These are the most reactive metals. Metals with greater reactivity extracted electrolytically. For these metals no other reducing agent is available. All alkali and alkaline metals are extracted through this process.

Additional Information: Reactivity series of metals was not discovered by a single scientist. Series order is based on the observation of many people. This series is also known as activity series. Those metals are most eager, which are at the top and bottom of the series, to form compounds by reacting with other elements. This series is useful for the extraction of metals from their oxides.

Note: Remember the order of the metals in reactivity series. Metals with greater reactivity are extracted through electrolysis. While studying under Humphry Davy, Michael Faraday discovered the laws of electrolysis.