Electrolysis Copper Sulphate Solution.
Electrolysis is the break down of a substance using electricity. Electrolysis only occurs when an ionic substance is molten or is a solution. A substance that can be electrolysed is called an electrolyte. .
Copper is a very unreactive metal it's even below hydrogen in the reactivity series. This means it won't even react with water. Therefore, copper is very easily extracted from its ore by reduction, when it needs to be pure it is purified by electrolysis.
The experiment carried out was intended to observe the amount of Copper (Cu) metal deposited during the electrolysis of Copper Sulphate solution (CuSo4) using Copper electrodes, when variables were changed. The following factors may have affected the amount of Copper on the cathode. .
Time.
Size of Electrodes.
Voltage.
Quantity of Solution.
Temperature.
Concentration of Solution.
The surface of the electrodes.
Distance between the electrodes.
It is possible to predict that there is a connection between the voltage and the mass of Copper deposited on the Cathode. I can therefore predict that if I double the voltage I will get a larger amount of pure copper on the Cathode. I will carry out this investigation by setting up the electrolysis experiment, using a copper sulphate solution and copper electrodes.
Method.
Fill a beaker with 50ml of copper sulphate. The electrodes used are made of copper, weigh the anode and record the weight in a table. Attach the two copper electrodes to the power pack using crocodile clips. Now place the electrodes into the beaker, making sure they do not touch. Set the voltage to six volts, turn on the power pack and leave experiment for five minutes. Then turn off the power pack, dry the anode (to make the results more accurate) and weigh it, record the results in a table. Put the anode back into the copper sulphate and leave for five more minutes. After five minutes turn off the power pack, dry the anode and weigh it again, record the results in a table.
