Question

during the electrolysis of copper [II] sulphate solution using platinum as cathode and carbon as anode :

1) state what you observe at the cathode and at the anode.

2)state the change noticed in the electrolyte .

3)write the reaction at the cathode and at the anode.

0

Answer 1

At the Cathode: 4OH^- - 4e^- → O₂ + 2H₂O
Oxygen from OH^- ions is formed.

At the anode: Cu⁺² + 2e^- → Cu
Cu⁺² are discharged because copper is less reactive than hydrogen.

H⁺ and SO₄^- ions bond together forming sulfuric acid. Therefore the blue color of copper sulfate gradually fades away and the solution becomes acidic due to sulfuric acid.