The isolation of magnesium from seawater can be
summarized by the following three reactions.MgCl2(aq)+Ca(OH)2(aq)⟶Mg(OH)2(s)+CaCl2(aq)Mg(OH)2(s)+2HCl(aq)⟶MgCl2(aq)+2H2O(l)MgCl2(l)⟶Mg(l)+Cl2(g)What is the point of the first two reactions, given that they start and end with MgCl2(aq)?
Select the correct answer below:
The calcium chloride (CaCl2(aq)) produced in the first reaction is a necessary product of the Pidgeon process that is used to purify the final elemental magnesium.
The removal of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2(aq)) from the seawater by formation of calcium chloride (CaCl2(aq))) makes it easier to isolate the aqueous magnesium chloride (MgCl2(aq)) from the seawater.
The first two reactions separate the MgCl2(aq) from other solutes in the seawater.
The heat evolved in the first two reactions is used to melt the isolated magnesium chloride so it can be electrolyzed.