In the cathode half-equation for the electrolysis of Aluminium Oxide, what is produced?

In the cathode half-equation for the electrolysis of Aluminium Oxide, aluminium metal is produced. During the process of electrolysis, the aluminium ions present in the molten aluminium oxide are reduced at the cathode. This reduction involves the gain of electrons, resulting in the transformation of aluminium ions (Al³⁺) into aluminium metal (Al). The half-equation at the cathode can be represented as:

[ Al^{3+} + 3e^- \rightarrow Al ]

This shows that for every three aluminium ions, three electrons are gained to form one atom of aluminium metal. This process is crucial because it allows for the extraction of aluminium from its ore, which is often bauxite, through the application of an electric current.