Question:

What is the weight of Al deposited at cathode when 1 ampere current is passed through molten $\text{AlCl}_3$ for 9650 seconds? (At mass of Al = 27)

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Notice how clean the numbers are! $9650$ seconds is exactly $0.1$ of a Faraday ($96500\ \text{C}$). Since 1 full Faraday deposits 1 equivalent weight of Al ($\frac{27}{3} = 9\ \text{g}$), then $0.1$ Faraday will deposit exactly $0.1 \times 9\ \text{g} = 0.9\ \text{g}$ instantly!
Updated On: Jun 12, 2026
  • 3.0 g
  • 9.0 g
  • 13.6 g
  • 0.9 g
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The problem asks for the mass of Aluminum metal (Al) deposited at the negative cathode during the electrolysis of molten $\text{AlCl}_3$ when a constant electrical current of $1\ \text{A}$ passes through the cell for a duration of $9650\ \text{seconds}$.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
According to Faraday's First Law of Electrolysis, the mass ($W$) of a substance deposited is calculated by:
$$W = \frac{I \times t \times M}{n \times F}$$ Where:
$I =$ electrical current in amperes ($1\ \text{A}$)
$t =$ time duration in seconds ($9650\ \text{s}$)
$M =$ molar atomic mass of the element ($27\ \text{g\ mol}^{-1}$)
$n =$ number of moles of electrons exchanged per mole of metal (valency factor)
$F =$ Faraday's constant ($\approx 96500\ \text{C\ mol}^{-1}$)

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
First, identify the reduction half-reaction taking place at the cathode for the $\text{Al}^{3+}$ ion:
$$\text{Al}^{3+} + 3\text{e}^- \rightarrow \text{Al}\ (\text{s})$$ This shows that $n = 3$ moles of electrons are required to deposit 1 mole of Aluminum metal.
Now, substitute the parameters into Faraday's equation:
$$W = \frac{1\ \text{A} \times 9650\ \text{s} \times 27\ \text{g/mol}}{3 \times 96500\ \text{C/mol}}$$ Simplify the fraction by canceling common multiples between 9650 and 96500:
$$\frac{9650}{96500} = \frac{1}{10}$$ Substitute this back into the equation:
$$W = \frac{1}{10} \times \frac{27}{3}$$ $$W = \frac{1}{10} \times 9 = 0.9\ \text{g}$$ This calculated mass corresponds exactly to option (D).

Step 4: Final Answer:
The mass of Aluminum deposited at the cathode is 0.9 g, which corresponds to option (D).
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