---
title: "In the commercial manufacture of sodium metal, molten sodium chloride is electrolyzed in a Downs cell at high temperatures according to the overall reaction represented below.  \\[ 2\\,\\text{NaCl}(l) \\rightarrow 2\\,\\text{Na}(l) + \\text{Cl}_2(g) \\]  Which of the following correctly identifies the reducing agent and the species that is reduced in this electrolytic process?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120343/"
date_modified: "2026-08-23T04:23:14+00:00"
---

# In the commercial manufacture of sodium metal, molten sodium chloride is electrolyzed in a Downs cell at high temperatures according to the overall reaction represented below.

\[ 2\,\text{NaCl}(l) \rightarrow 2\,\text{Na}(l) + \text{Cl}_2(g) \]

Which of the following correctly identifies the reducing agent and the species that is reduced in this electrolytic process?

In the commercial manufacture of sodium metal, molten sodium chloride is electrolyzed in a Downs cell at high temperatures according to the overall reaction represented below.

\[ 2\,\text{NaCl}(l) \rightarrow 2\,\text{Na}(l) + \text{Cl}_2(g) \]

Which of the following correctly identifies the reducing agent and the species that is reduced in this electrolytic process?

- **A.** Reducing agent: \(\text{Na}^+(l)\); Species reduced: \(\text{Cl}^-(l)\)
- **B.** Reducing agent: \(\text{Na}(l)\); Species reduced: \(\text{Cl}_2(g)\)
- **C.** Reducing agent: \(\text{Na}^+(l)\); Species reduced: \(\text{Na}^+(l)\)
- **D.** Reducing agent: \(\text{Cl}^-(l)\); Species reduced: \(\text{Na}^+(l)\)

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120343/*