Question

State the electrode reaction at the anode during the electrolysis of:

Aqueous copper sulphate using platinum electrodes.

Answer 1

• Electrolysis is a process in which electricity is passed through a substance to effect a chemical change.

Electrolysis of aqueous copper sulfate using platinum electrodes :
${\mathrm{CuSO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\rightleftharpoons {\mathrm{Cu}}^{2+}+{\mathrm{SO}}_4^{2-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

Reaction at the anode :
$4{\mathrm{OH}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)-4{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to 4\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

$4\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to {\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)$

Therefore, oxygen gas and water will be formed at the anode.