The town of Natrium,West Virginia,derives its name from the sodium produced in the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride (NaCl)mined from ancient salt deposits.The number of kilowatt-hours of electricity required to produce 4.50 kg of metallic sodium from the electrolysis of molten NaCl(s)is ________ when the applied emf is 5.00 V.

Question

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The amount of electricity (in kilowatt-hours) required for the electrolysis can be calculated using Faraday's laws of electrolysis. First, we need to determine the moles of sodium produced. The molar mass of sodium (Na) is approximately 23 g/mol. For 4.50 kg (or 4500 g) of sodium, the moles of sodium are 4500 g / 23 g/mol = 195.65 moles. The charge required to produce one mole of sodium from Na+ ions is 1 Faraday (F) = 96500 coulombs. Therefore, for 195.65 moles, the total charge (Q) required is 195.65 moles * 96500 C/mol = 18877325 C. The energy (E) required can be calculated using the formula E = VQ, where V is the voltage (5.00 V). So, E = 5.00 V * 18877325 C = 94386625 J. To convert joules to kilowatt-hours, divide by 3600000 (the number of joules in one kilowatt-hour): 94386625 J / 3600000 J/kWh = 26.2 kWh.

The Town of Natrium,West Virginia,derives Its Name from the Sodium