Q. In Down’s method for the extraction of sodium, the melting point of the electrolyte is lowered by adding

A) Potassium chloride
B) Calcium chloride
C) Both calcium chloride and potassium fluoride
D) Potassium fluoride only
Explanation

(c)
In Down process, sodium is manufactured by the electrolysis of fused sodium chloride in the presence of $CaCl_{2}$ and KF using graphite anode and iron cathode.
$\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ NaCl\ \rightleftharpoons Na^{+} + Cl^{-}$
$\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Na^{+} + e^{-}\ \longrightarrow Na\ (at\ cathode)$
$\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ 2Cl^{-}\ \rightarrow Cl_{2} + 2e^{-}(at\ anode)$
$CaCl_{2} + KF\$lower the melting point from the 1085 K to 850 K.

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.