Electrolysis of molten NaCl in a Downs cell is the major isolation step in the production of sodium metal. Assuming that 211 g of Na metal forms, answer the following questions.

Question

Electrolysis of molten NaCl in a Downs cell is the major isolation step in the production of sodium metal. Assuming that 211 g of Na metal forms, answer the following questions.

1.  9.17 = mol e⁻
2.  8.84 x10^5 = Coulombs

How many amps will produce this amount in 9.50 h?

 

Answer 1

Amps = coulombs/sec, so we need to find coulombs and seconds.

211 g Na x 1 mol Na/23 g = 9.17 moles Na = 9.17 moles e- (also this is given)

9.17 moles e- x 96,485 C/mol e- = 885,145 C

9.50 hours x 60 min/hour x 60 sec/min = 34,200 sec

Amps = coulombs/sec = 885,145 C / 34,200 sec = 25.9 amps