The bauxite is purified to produce aluminium oxide, a white powder from which aluminium can be extracted. The extraction is done by electrolysis. The ions in the aluminium oxide must be free to move so that electricity can pass through it.
I know I am a little late answering this but I still wanted to answer the question for you . I am not good at explaining things so I copied and pasted but I hope this helps.
Aluminium ore is called bauxite . The bauxite is purified to produce aluminium oxide, a white powder from which aluminium can be extracted. The extraction is done by electrolysis. The ions in the aluminium oxide must be free to move so that electricity can pass through it.
