The diagram shows the process of purification of copper metal. A thick copper plate $A$ of impure copper and a thin copper plate $B$ are immersed in a metal sulphate solution and an electric current is passed through it. Which metal solution is taken as electrolyte ?

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Solution

During purification of copper metal via electrolysis, copper sulphate solution $(C u S O_{4})$ is taken as an electrolyte. Copper from thick impure copper plate gets oxidized and dissolved in the solution as $C u^{+ 2}$ ions whereas those $C u^{+ 2}$ ions present in the solution get reduced at the thin pure copper plate and thus copper is purified.

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In the process of purification of copper metal, a thin plate of pure copper and a thick rod of impure copper are used as electrodes, and a metal salt solution is used as an electrolyte :
(a) Which electrode is connected to the positive terminal of the battery ?
(b) Which electrode is connected to the negative terminal of the battery ?
(c) Which metal salt solution is taken as electrolyte ?

Assertion: When an electric current is passed through the copper sulphate electrolyte, the impure copper anode gradually dissolve and pure copper is deposited on the cathode.

Reason: Pure metals are deposited in electroplating techniques.

Q. For purification of copper, a thin plate of pure copper and a thick rod of impure copper are used as electrodes. Copper from the impure rod is sought to be transferred to the thin copper plate. Which electrode should be attached to the positive terminal of battery?

In general, electrolytic refining is a process of purification of impure metal during which an electric current is passed through an electrolytic cell which contains impure metal as anode, a suitable electrolyte and pure metal as cathode.

A beaker contains an acidified copper sulphate solution. A copper plate and a carbon rod are kept in this copper sulphate solution. The copper plate is connected to the positive terminal of a battery whereas the carbon rod is connected to the negative terminal of the battery. What will you observe when an electric current is passed through this set-up for a considerable time?

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The diagram shows the process of purification of copper metal. A thick copper plate A of impure copper and a thin copper plate B are immersed in a metal sulphate solution and an electric current is passed through it. Which metal solution is taken as electrolyte ?

The diagram shows the process of purification of copper metal. A thick copper plate $A$ of impure copper and a thin copper plate $B$ are immersed in a metal sulphate solution and an electric current is passed through it. Which metal solution is taken as electrolyte ?