Sodium is produced by the electrolysis of A. Molten sodium carbonate B. Molten sodium chloride C. Aqueous brine solution D. Its cyanide complex

Sodium is produced by the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride.

A. Molten sodium carbonate is not a good conductor of electricity, so it cannot be used to produce sodium by electrolysis.
B. Molten sodium chloride is a good conductor of electricity, so it can be used to produce sodium by electrolysis.
C. Aqueous brine solution is a poor conductor of electricity, so it cannot be used to produce sodium by electrolysis.
D. Its cyanide complex is not a good conductor of electricity, so it cannot be used to produce sodium by electrolysis.

In the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride, a direct current is passed through a molten mixture of sodium chloride and a small amount of calcium chloride. The calcium

chloride helps to reduce the melting point of the sodium chloride. The current causes the sodium chloride to break down into sodium and chlorine gas. The sodium is collected at the cathode, and the chlorine gas is collected at the anode.

The electrolysis of molten sodium chloride is a very efficient process. It is the main method used to produce sodium on an industrial scale.