Extraction of Aluminium (examples, answers, activities, experiment, videos)
how to extract aluminium from bauxite using electrolysis, examples and step by step demonstration, aluminium oxide, Cryolite
· archived 5/20/2026, 10:58:58 PMscreenshotcached html Extraction of Aluminium Related Topics: More Lessons for IGCSE Chemistry Math Worksheets Share this page to Google Classroom A series of free IGCSE Chemistry Activities and Experiments (Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry). The following diagram shows how to extract aluminium from bauxite using electrolysis. Scroll down the page for more examples and explanations. How to extract alumnimium from bauxite using electrolysis? Aluminium is the most abundant metal on Earth. However, it is expensive because a lot of electricity is used to extract it. Bauxite is the aluminium ore. It is purified to yield aluminium oxide, which is a white powder. Aluminium is then extracted from aluminium oxide by electrolysis. The aluminium oxide must be made molten so that the ions can pass through it during electrolysis. Aluminium oxide has a very high melting point - over 2000 degrees celsius. So instead of trying to melt it, the aluminium oxide is dissolved in molten cryolite. Cryolite is an aluminium compound with a much lower melting point than aluminium oxide, and so using this reduces some of the costs in extracting aluminium. The steel case is coated with graphite, providing the negative cathode. The positive anodes are immersed in the molten cryolite, and are also made of graphite. When the battery is turned on and electricity flows, the aluminium forms at the negative cathode and sinks to the bottom of the tank where is is tapped off as a pure liquid metal. Oxygen forms at the positive anodes. The oxygen reacts with the carbon of the graphite, forming carbon dioxide. The positive anode therefore burns away, and needs replacing regularly. This is another reason for the extraction of aluminium being so expensive. Show Video Check out our most popular games! Fraction Concoction Game: Master fractions in the lab: mix, add, and subtract beakers to create the perfect concoction! Fact Family Game: Complete fact families and master the link between addition & subtraction and multiplication & division. Number Bond Garden: Clear the board by matching number pairs that sum to ten in this garden-themed mental math puzzle. Online Addition Subtraction Game: Practice your addition and subtraction skills to help the penguin find its mummy. We welcome your feedback, comments and questions about this site or page. Please submit your feedback or enquiries via our Feedback page. Back to Top | Interactive Zone | Home Copyright © 2005, 2026 - OnlineMathLearning.com. Embedded content, if any, are copyrights of their respective owners. × Home Math By Grades Pre-K Kindergarten Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grades 7 & 8 Grades 9 & 10 Grades 11 & 12 Basic Algebra Intermediate Algebra High School Geometry Math By Topics Arithmetic Algebra Geometry Trigonometry Statistics Probability Word Problems Pre-Calculus Calculus Set Theory Matrices Vectors Math Curriculum NY Common Core Illustrative Math Common Core Standards Singapore Math Free Math Worksheets Worksheets by Topics Worksheets by Grades Printable & Online Math Quizzes By Grades Common Core Worksheets Interactive Zone Math Tests SAT Math ACT Math GMAT GRE Math GED Math High School-Regents California Standards Math Fun & Games Math Trivia Math Games Fun Games Mousehunt Guide Math Video Lessons College Algebra College Calculus Linear Algebra Engineering Math Test/Exam Prep SAT Preparation ACT Preparation GMAT Preparation GRE Preparation GED Preparation ESL, IELTS, TOEFL GCSE/IGCSE/A Level KS3/CheckPoint 1 Science KS3/CheckPoint 2 Science KS3/CheckPoint 3 Science GCSE/IGCSE Maths GCSE/IGCSE Biology CGSE/IGCSE Chemistry CGSE/IGCSE Physics A-Level Maths Others Biology Chemistry Science Projects High School Biology High School Chemistry High School Physics Animal Facts English Help English For Kids Programming Calculators Privacy Policy Tutoring Services What's New Contact Us