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2. s-Block Elements eLearn.Punjab
Animation 2.7 DOWN’S CELL
Source and Credit: eLearn.Punjab
Sodium metal rises in a special compartment from which it is taken out at
intervals.
The cell produces dry chlorine and 99.9 percent pure sodium. The
process is carried out at 600°C and it has the following advantages.
(a) The metallic fog is not produced.
(b) Liquid sodium can easily be collected at 600°C.
(c) Material of the cell is not attacked by the products formed during the
electrolysis.
During the process the following reactions take place:
→NaCl Na+ +Cl-
At cathode →Na+ +e- Na
At anode
→Cl- 1/2Cl2 +1e-
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