Aluminum was obtained for the first time in 1827 (...). Its main ore is bauxite, formed by aluminum oxide (...). The treatment of this oxide with hydrochloric acid generates aluminum chloride, AℓCℓ₃ (aq). The main method of obtaining the metal, in that century, was to reduce this salt with potassium or sodium. This process was expensive and inefficient, being commercially unfeasible and restricting aluminum to academic studies and jewelry production. The treatment of aluminum oxide with hydrochloric acid is illustrated below.

Aℓ₂O₃ (s) + 6 HCℓ (aq) → 2 AℓCℓ₃ (aq) + 3 H₂O (ℓ)

Assuming that this reaction occurs with a consumption of 10.0 mol of Aℓ₂O₃ (s) per minute, it can be said that the rate of formation of aluminum chloride is:

5,0 mol/min.

1,0 mol/min.

10,0 mol/min.

2,0 mol/min.

20,0 mol/min.