Electrolysis Of Copper Sulfate

Question 1

What is the half equation for copper at the cathode?

Answer 1

Cu2+ + 2e- -> Cu

This is because copper is less reactive then hydrogen.

Question 2

What is the half equation for oxygen and water at the anode?

Answer 2

4OH- -> O2 + 2H2O + 4e-

This is because there are no halide ions

Question 3

What happens in the electrolysis of copper Sulfate?

Answer 3

The mass of this anode will decrease

Mass of the cathode will increase ,this is because the copper is transferred from the anode to the cathode.

Leave for 30 mins .

Find the mass difference to see the mass change .

Make sure the electrodes are dry as they may have a higher mass then
they actually have.

Question 4

What will happen to the rate of electrolysis if you increase the current?

Answer 4

It will increase , this will mean there will be an even bigger mass difference.

Question 5

What happens to the impurities at the anode?

Answer 5

They all sink towards the bottom forming sludge