The Hall process for the production of aluminum involves the reaction of aluminum oxide with elemental carbon to give aluminum metal and carbon monoxide. If the yield of this reaction is 82% and aluminum ore is 71% by mass aluminum oxide, what mass of aluminum ore must be mined in order to produce 1.0 * 10³ kg (1 metric ton)of aluminum metal by the Hall process? A)1.8 * 10³ kg B)2.2 * 10³ kg C)1.1 * 10³ kg D)1.6 * 10³ kg E)3.3 * 10³ kg

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To produce 1.0 * 10^3 kg of aluminum with an 82% yield, you need 1.0 * 10^3 kg / 0.82 = 1.22 * 10^3 kg of aluminum. Since the ore is 71% aluminum oxide, and aluminum oxide is 52.9% aluminum by mass, you need 1.22 * 10^3 kg / (0.71 * 0.529) = 3.3 * 10^3 kg of ore.

The Hall Process for the Production of Aluminum Involves the Reaction