Which of the following is the chemical symbol for Zinc?

Question

Examoogle · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is Option D: Na. Sodium (Na) is an extremely reactive alkali metal located at the top of the electrochemical series. Because it has a very negative standard reduction potential, it cannot be extracted by traditional chemical reduction (such as carbon reduction) and must be extracted through the electrolytic reduction of its molten chloride or hydroxide.

Step-by-Step Solution & Concepts:
Sodium (Na) is an extremely reactive alkali metal located at the top of the electrochemical series. Because it has a very negative standard reduction potential, it cannot be extracted by traditional chemical reduction (such as carbon reduction) and must be extracted through the electrolytic reduction of its molten chloride or hydroxide.

Working Principle: In the electrolytic reduction of sodium (typically via the Down's process using molten sodium chloride mixed with calcium chloride to lower the melting point), molten NaCl undergoes electrolysis. At the cathode, sodium ions gain electrons to form liquid sodium metal ($Na^+ + e^- \rightarrow Na$), while at the anode, chloride ions are oxidized to chlorine gas ($2Cl^- \rightarrow Cl_2 + 2e^-$).

Key Formulas: $Na^+ + e^- \rightarrow Na$ — Reduction at cathode; $2Cl^- \rightarrow Cl_2 + 2e^-$ — Oxidation at anode; \Delta G > 0$ for carbon reduction of $Na_2O$

Key Points: Sodium is a highly reactive metal placed near the top of the reactivity series.; Carbon reduction cannot be used because sodium has a much higher affinity for oxygen and chlorine than carbon does.; Molten sodium chloride ($NaCl$) with calcium chloride added to lower melting point is electrolyzed.; Zinc ($Zn$), Iron ($Fe$), and Lead ($Pb$) are moderately reactive and extracted by smelting with carbon.

Advantages: Produces high-purity alkali and alkaline earth metals.; Allows extraction of elements that cannot be reduced chemically.

Disadvantages: Consumes huge amounts of electrical energy.; High operating temperatures required to keep salts molten.

Applications: Commercial production of Sodium ($Na$) and Potassium ($K$).; Production of reactive metals like Aluminium ($Al$) via Hall-Héroult process.

Additional Info: Option A ($Zn$): Zinc is extracted by roasting its sulfide ore followed by carbon reduction (or electrolytic refining).. Option B ($Fe$): Iron is extracted in a blast furnace using carbon monoxide reduction.. Option C ($Pb$): Lead is extracted by roasting galena ($PbS$) and reducing with carbon or self-reduction.. Option D ($Na$): Sodium is the correct answer as it requires electrolytic reduction.

Answer: D is correct — Sodium (Na) is an extremely reactive metal extracted by the electrolytic reduction of molten sodium chloride.

Feature	Sodium	Others
Reactivity	High (Na)	Moderate (Zn, Fe, Pb)
Extraction Method	Electrolytic Reduction	Carbon Reduction (Smelting)

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