Question

In the circuit given as Fig., Boojho observed that copper is deposited on the electrode connected to the negative terminal of the battery. Paheli tried to repeat the same experiment. But she could find only one copper plate. Therefore she took a carbon rod as a negative electrode. Will copper be still deposited on the carbon rod? Explain your answer.

Copper plate Copper plate PperP Copper sulphate solution 

Answer 1

Charge

1. Elements are made up of protons, electrons, and neutrons.
2. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge and neutrons are neutral.
3. The charge of an electron is numerically equal to that of a proton.
4. In an ordinary piece of matter consisting of atoms, there is an equal number of protons and electrons.
5. As a result matter as a whole is electrically neutral.
6. In a solution when there is a deficiency of protons, it forms an anion and when there is a deficiency of electrons it forms a cation.

Deposition on Carbon Rod

1. Copper will be deposited on the carbon rod from the copper sulphate solution.
2. A copper sulphate solution dissociates into copper and sulphate when an electric current is passed through it.
3. Free copper is pulled to the electrode attached to the battery’s negative terminal, i.e. the carbon rod, and deposits on it.
4. Thus, Paheli will obtain a coating of copper on a carbon rod.
5. Copper ions will be negatively and sulphate ions will be positively charged hence, they get attracted toward the negative terminal.