Question

Please explain electrolytic refining

Answer 1

Dear student,

Refining consists of purifying an impure metal.

The purification of metals by electrolysis is known as electrolytic refining.


Eg:

In electrolytic refining, the impure metal is made the anode and a thin strip of pure metal is made the cathode. A solution of the metal salt is used as an electrolyte. Since we need copper, we use a salt solution containing copper as an electrolyte. In this case, it is copper sulphate.

During electrolytic refining,on passing the current through the electrolyte, the pure metal from the anode dissolves into the electrolyte. An equivalent amount of pure metal from the electrolyte is deposited on the cathode. The soluble impurities go into the solution, whereas, the insoluble impurities settle down at the bottom of the anode and are known as anode mud.

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