Question
Some metals are extracted using electrolysis. In order for this to work the metal ore must be ing __ form. What one word completes the sentence?
Answer
4.3
(437 Votes)
Clive
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
C
Explanation
In chemistry, electrolysis requires ions to move within the sample in order to pass an electrical current. Solid metal ores are typically ionic compounds, and while they contain ions, these ions are rigidly held in place and are not free to move, making solid metal unsuitable to undergo electrolysis. Meanwhile, metals in gaseous form can only be achieved in conditions of extremely high temperature which is not practical for metal extraction. Between liquid and molten, presence of ions cannot be guaranteed in a general liquid state, while a molten metal ore is a liquid state that exists at such higher temperatures that the ionic compound breaks apart and the ions become free to move, making the extraction possible. Therefore, for electrolysis to work and metal extraction to happen, the metal ore needs to be in a molten state. Adaptively the very essential condition for providing and powering each step and the whole process of the metallic extraction is the free presence and movement of the ions uniformly and largely, say under a significant level of progressive laws and dynamic characteristics.