Question

Which of the following processes is used in extractive metallurgy of magnesium?
A. Fused salt electrolysis
B. Self reduction
C. Aqueous solution electrolysis
D. Thermite reduction

Answer 1

Hint: Magnesium is a group 2 element and so it is highly electropositive and forms an ionic bond. The best way to purify the compounds of ionic bonds to obtain the metal is by electrolysis.

Complete answer:
-Metal compounds found in nature are called minerals. Minerals from which we can extract metals conveniently as well as economically are called ores. It contains impurities which are called gangue.
-Extraction of metals from ores is called metallurgy. Metals are extracted from the earth’s surface and so along with the metals, certain impurities also appear with it which needs to be removed in order to increase the efficiency of the metals.
-Magnesium is extracted from the electrolysis method due to its high reactivity. This is because it needs to lose only 2 electrons to attain the noble gas configuration and become stable.
-Reaction takes place at the electrodes. Electrode where oxidation occurs is called anode and electrode where reduction occurs is called cathode. These processes are governed by electrochemical series. The top elements behave as reducing agents and as we go down, the strength of the oxidizing agents increase.
-So basically the electrochemical series governs the metals that can be obtained by the process of metallurgy. More electropositive metals can reduce the less electropositive metals from their ores.
-Mg is extracted by the electrolysis of molten $MgC{{l}_{2}}$ as chlorine acts as a very good oxidizing agent. The purity of the metal obtained is very high by this process. It is called fused salt electrolysis.

Therefore the correct option is A.

Note:
Magnesium cannot undergo self electrolysis as it cannot show multiple covalency. Only the atoms that can show multiple covalencies due to the presence of vacant d-orbital can undergo self electrolysis by reducing as well as oxidizing themselves.