Q38 of 65 Page 24

During extraction of metals, electrolytic refining is used to obtain pure metals. (a) Which material will be used as anode and cathode for refining of silver metal by this process? (b) Suggest a suitable electrolyte also. (c) In this electrolytic cell, where do we get pure silver after passing electric current?

(a) Impure silver is taken as anode. Pure silver is taken as cathode.


(b) Suitable electrolyte is any silver salt such as AgNO3.


(c) We get pure silver at cathode.


In the process of electrolytic refining of silver, impure metal (impure silver) forms the positively charged anode whereas pure metal (pure silver) forms the negatively cathode. Silver nitrate (AgNO3) is taken as an electrolyte. Silver from impure anode dissolves into the solution. Silver ions from the solution are deposited on the cathode.


More from this chapter

All 65 →
36

Which one of the following figures correctly describes the process of electrolytic refining?

 37

Iqbal treated a lustrous, divalent element M with sodium hydroxide. He observed the formation of bubbles in reaction mixture. He made the same observations when this element was treated with hydrochloric acid. Suggest how he can identify the produced gas. Write chemical equations for both the reactions.

 39

Why should the metal sulphides and carbonates be converted to metal oxides in the process of extraction of metal from them?

 40

Generally, when metals are treated with mineral acids, hydrogen gas is liberated but when metals (except Mn and Mg), treated with HNO3, hydrogen is not liberated, why?