Question

The most likely application of tin produced by means of electrolytic processing would be A) plating for commonly produced canned goods, to be widely distributed. B) miniature figurines designed to be painted and displayed. C) small amounts of material intended for scientific analysis. D) solder sold worldwide as part of a campaign to market leadfree products.

Short answer

The most likely application of tin produced by means of electrolytic processing is A) plating for commonly produced canned goods, to be widely distributed, as it requires high-purity tin for corrosion resistance and food-safe properties.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding electrolytic processing

Electrolytic processing is a method of extracting metals from their ores using electrolysis. In this process, a direct electric current is passed through a solution containing the ore, causing the metal ions to deposit onto the cathode. The production of tin through electrolytic processing helps to obtain high-purity tin which could be used for various applications.

Analyze each option

Now let's consider each option individually: A) plating for commonly produced canned goods, to be widely distributed. Tin-plated cans are widely used due to their corrosion resistance and food-safe properties. The need for high-purity tin in this application would be useful, as it ensures the safety of the food being stored and its long-term preservation. B) miniature figurines designed to be painted and displayed. While tin is often used for making small decorative items and figurines, this application might not require the high purity of electrolytically produced tin. It is also not a mass-produced product as compared to canned goods. C) small amounts of material intended for scientific analysis. While high-purity tin would be useful in scientific analysis, this application does not represent a large-scale use of the material. D) solder sold worldwide as part of a campaign to market lead-free products. Tin is commonly used in lead-free solder, and the demand for lead-free solder has increased in recent years due to concerns about the environmental and health impacts of lead. High-purity tin would ensure the effectiveness and quality of the solder, making this a plausible application for electrolytically processed tin.

Compare the options and draw a conclusion

After analyzing each option, we can conclude that both A (canned goods) and D (lead-free solder) have significant potential for using electrolytically processed tin. However, given the widespread use of tin-plated cans in food preservation, which impacts many people on a daily basis, option A seems to be the most plausible application of tin produced by electrolytic processing.