Question

What is the anode made up of in electrolytic refining?

(a) Impure metal

(b) The metal ore

(c) Pure metal

(d) Double salt of metal

The question was posed to me during a job interview.

My doubt stems from Refining in division General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements of Chemistry – Class 12

Answer 1

The correct answer is (a) Impure metal

To explain: In electrolytic refining, the impure metal is converted to a block which forms the anode while the cathode is made up of a pure strip of the same metal. The electrolyte used is generally a solution of a soluble salt of the metal, usually, a double salt of the metal.