Question #bb038

1 Answer
May 10, 2017

To put it simply, aluminium oxide undergoes a redox reaction in the electrolyte.

Explanation:

At the cathode: Aluminium is reduced and does not mix with the electrolyte but falls to the bottom of the cell.
Al³⁺ (l) + 3e⁻ → Al (l)

At the anode: Oxide ions are oxidised and oxygen is given off.
2O²⁻(l) - 4e⁻ → O₂ (g)

Hopefully this answers your question.