Question

a) In the electrolytic refining of copper what would you take as an anode, cathode and electrolyte?
b) It is said that the electrolytic refining of copper is economic. Why?

Answer 1

a) In the electrolytic refining of copper, impure copper is taken as an anode, pure copper is taken as cathode and copper sulphate solution is taken as an electrolyte.

b) When an electric current is passed through the electrolyte, the anode gradually dissolves and pure copper is deposited on the cathode which gradually grows in size. Impurities like. Fe, Zn, Ni etc, dissolve in the solution as sulphates while gold, silver, and platinum settle down below the anode as anode mud. Anode mud contains precious metals. Thus we can say electrolytic refining of copper is economic.