Molten sodium chloride can be reduced to sodium metal by passing an electric current through the molten salt to split it into its elements. Illustrated below is a simple diagram of the cell. Show the balanced equations for the anode, cathode, and overall cell reactions.

• A. Anode: Na⁺ (l) + e⁻→ Na (l)
  Cathode: 2 Cl⁻ (l) → Cl₂ (g) + 2 e⁻
  Overall: 2 NaCl (l) → 2 Na (l) + Cl₂ (g)
• B. Anode: 2 Cl⁻ (l) → Cl₂ (g) + 2 e⁻
  Cathode: Na⁺ (l) + e⁻→ Na (l)
  Overall: 2 NaCl (l) → 2 Na (l) + Cl₂ (g)
• C. Anode: Na⁺ (l) + e⁻→ Na (l)
  Cathode: Cl⁻ (l) → Cl (g) + e⁻
  Overall: NaCl (l) → Na (l) + Cl (g)
• D. Anode: Cl⁻ (l) → Cl (g) + e⁻
  Cathode: Na⁺ (l) + e⁻→ Na (l)
  Overall: NaCl (l) → Na (l) + Cl (g)

Answer: (B)