TOPIC

Experiment 4: Determination of Avogadro’s Number Using Electrogravimetry

OBJECTIVE

To make an experimental measurement of Avogadro’s number using an

electrochemical technique (electrogavimetry).

APPARATUS

 20 V- Power Supply

 Beaker

 Copper Electrodes

 Electrical wires with crocodile clips

 Retort Stand with clamps

 Emery paper

 4 decimal analytical balance

CHEMICAL

 1M CuSO4 and 0.5M H2SO4

INTRODUCTION

In the experiment the Avogadro’s number was confirmed by conducting an

electrochemical process called electrolysis. This process used an external power
supply to drive and non-spontaneous reaction. A careful measurement of electron
flow, amperage and time to obtain the number of electrons passing through the
electrochemical cell will be done in the experiment. The electron flow, in amperes is
usually referred to as the current. The Avogadro’s number can be calculated through
the number of atoms in a weighed sample which are related to the number of electrons
used.
 There are several ways to determine the Avogadro’s number which in this
experiment, the electrogravimetry technique was applied. The experimental setup for
this process is called an electrolytic cell. An electrolytic cell is made up of these
following components:

 A direct current source (Battery or Power supply)

 Insulted wires to connect the circuit
 Two electrodes
 An electrolyte (Sulphuric acid)

PROCEDURE

1) Two copper electrodes were obtained. The electrode was polished and cleaned
before the measurement were taken.

2) Without touching the electrodes with fingers, the electrodes were dip in the
beaker of clean tap water and the electrodes then ware dip in the beaker labelled
alcohol.

3) The electrodes were dried on a paper towel afterward. After the electrodes were
dried, the electrodes were weight on analytical balance to the nearest 0.0001
gram. The electrode with less weight was labelled as anode.

4) The electrolytic solution was 1M CuSO4 in the 250 ml beaker. The power supply
was set at 20V. The correct sequence required the positive pole of the power
supply be connected to the anode of the first cell. The cathode was next
connected to the positive pin of the ammeter.

5) The apparatus was approved, the power supply was plugged in. The amperage as
recorded at 30 sec intervals of 10 min. The power supply was turn off after 10
mins and the last amperage value and time was recorded.

6) The experiment was repeated for the second readings. The same electrodes were
re-polished with emery paper and was re-weight.

7) The electrolysis process was repeated using 0.5 H2SO4 solution. The observation
was recorded on what was occurring at the electrodes and electrolyte solution.
RESULT

ELECTROLYSIS DATA: ELECTRODE MEASUREMENT

Trial 1 Trial 2
Mass of anode before electrolysis (g) 71.96 71.69
Mass of anode before electrolysis (g) 71.69 71.25
Mass loss of anode (g) 0.27 0.44

Average weight loss at anode = 0.36 g

Trial 1 Trial 2
Mass of cathode before electrolysis (g) 72.39 77.62
Mass of cathode before electrolysis (g) 77.64 77.69
Mass gain at cathode (g) 5.25 0.07

Average weight gain at cathode = 2.66 g

 TIME-AMPERAGE MEASUREMENT

Trial 1 Trial 2
Time (secs) Current (A) Current (A)
0 1.2 1.9
30 1.2 1.9
60 1.2 1.9
90 1.3 1.9
120 1.3 1.8
150 1.3 1.9
180 1.4 1.9
210 1.4 1.9
240 1.3 1.9
270 1.3 1.9
300 1.3 1.9
330 1.2 1.9
360 1.2 1.9
390 1.2 1.9
420 1.2 1.9
450 1.2 1.9
480 1.3 1.9
510 1.3 1.9
540 1.3 1.9
570 1.2 1.9
600 1.2 1.9
Average current 1.29 1.895

CALCULATION
Anode Cathode
Trial 1 Mass of loss = 71.96 – 71.69 Mass of gain = 77.64 – 72.39
(CuSO4) = 0.27 g = 5.25 g

Trial 2 Mass of loss = 71.69 – 71.25 Mass of gain = 77.69 – 77.62

(H2SO4) = 0.44 g = 0.07 g

Average Loss: 0.36 g Gain: 2.66 g

 Anode:

Trial 1 (CuSO4) Trial 2 (H2SO4)

Total charge (1.29 A) (600 s) = 774 (1.895 A) (600 s) = 1137
measured (C)
Number of 774 1137
electrons passed 1.602×10−19 1.602×10−19

(electrons) = 4.831 ×10 21 = 7.096 ×1021

Number of ions 4.831 ×1021 7.096× 1021
generated 2 2

(ions) = 2.416 ×1021 = 3.548 ×1021

Number of ions/g 2.416× 1021 3.548× 1021
of metal 0.27 g 0.44 g

(atoms/g) = 8.95 ×1021 = 8.06 ×10 21

Avogadro’s (8.95 ×1021 ¿ (63.54 g/mol) (8.06 ×10 21 ¿(63.54 g /mol)

number = 5.68 ×1023 = 5.12 ×1023
(measurement)
(atoms/mol)
Relative % error (6.022 ×1023−5.68× 1023) 6.022× 1023−5.12 ×1023
in measure value | 6.022 ×1023 |
× 100 | 6.022 ×1023 |
× 100

= 5.68 % = 14.98 %

Cathode:

Trial 1 (CuSO4) Trial 2 (H2SO4)

Total charge (1.29 A) (600 s) = 774 (1.895 A) (600 s) = 1137
measured (C)
Number of 774 1137
electrons passed 1.602×10−19 1.602×10−19

(electrons) = 4.831 ×10 21 = 7.096 ×1021

Number of ions 4.831 ×1021 7.096× 1021
generated 2 2

(ions) = 2.416 ×1021 = 3.548 ×1021

Number of ions/g 2.416× 1021 3.548× 1021
of metal 5.25 g 0.07 g

(atoms/g) = 4.60 × 1020 = 5.07×10 22

Avogadro’s (4.60 × 1020 ¿ (63.54 g/mol) (5.07×10 22 ¿ (63.54 g/mol)
number = 2.92 ×10 22 = 3.22×10 24
(measurement)
(atoms/mol)
Relative % error 6.022× 1023 −2.92 ×1022 6.022× 1023−3.22 ×1024
in measure value | 6.022 ×10
23 | ×100 | 6.022×10
23 |× 100

= 95.15 % = 434.8 %

SUMMARY OF DATA AND RESULTS

Trial 1 Trial 2
Total time of electrolysis (sec) 600 600
Average current during electrolysis 1.29 1.895
(A)
Total charge measured (C) 774 1137
Number of electrons passed (electrons) 4.831 ×10 21 7.096 ×1021
Number of Cu2+ ions generated (ions) 2.416 ×1021 3.548 ×1021

Based on weight loss of anode:

Trial 1 Trial 2
2+ 2+
Number of Cu ions/g Cu metal (Cu /g 8.95 ×1021 8.06 ×10 21
Cu)
Avogadro’s number (measurement) 5.68 ×1023 5.12 ×1023
Avogadro’s number (true value) 6.022 ×1023 6.022 ×1023
Absolute error in measured value 3.42 ×1022 9.02 ×1022
Relative % error in measure value 5.68 % 14.98 %

Based on weight gain of cathode:

Trial 1 Trial 2
Number of Cu2+ ions/g Cu metal (Cu2+ /g 4.60 × 1020 5.07×10 22
Cu)
Avogadro’s number (measurement) 2.92×10 22 3.22×10 24
Avogadro’s number (true value) 6.022 ×1023 6.022 ×1023
Absolute error in measured value 5.73 ×1023 2.62 ×1024
Relative % error in measure value 95.15 % 434.8 %

DISCUSSION
Electrogravimetry is a method used to separate and quantify ions of a substance,
usually a metal. It also known as electrolytic cell. In this cell, electrical energy is
converted to the chemical energy. Therefore, the redox reaction is not spontaneous
and external electrical energy is needed in order to initiate a reaction. In this set-up of
apparatus, both electrodes are immersed in the same container in the solution of
molten electrolyte. In this case, anode is the positive electrode and cathode is the
negative electrode. Hence, oxidation occurs at the anode while reduction occurs at the
cathode. This technique also similar to electroplating where electrochemical reduction
causes the ions to be passed into the solution and deposited on the cathode producing
metal. In this experiment, 1M of CuSO4 and 0.5M of H2SO4 are used as the electrolyte
solution. Both electrolytes contain free moving ions as they ionized completely in
water solution. As the result of complete ionization in the water solution, the free
moving ions can carry current and thus conduct electricity.

CuSO4 (aq) → Cu2+ (aq) + SO42‾ (aq)

Copper sulfate (CuSO4) solution contains free moving Cu2+ and SO42‾ ions when they
ionized in water solution. When the power supply is switch on, the copper atoms loss
its electrons in order to produce copper ions (Cu 2+). This process occurs at the anode.
This process is known as oxidation which involves losses of electrons: Cu (s) → Cu 2+
(aq) + 2ē

Meanwhile, reduction process occurs at the cathode. Reduction is a process where

ions gain electrons in order to produce metal. Through the process, when the copper
ions (Cu2+) is passed into the solution, it will move to the negative electrode which is
the cathode. After a while, layer of copper is observed as the Cu 2+ is deposited on the
cathode:

Cu2+ (aq) + 2ē → Cu (s)

For Trial 1 which is conducted with copper sulfate (CuSO 4) solution, the average
charge measured is 774 C and 0.27 g of copper is lost in the solution. The losses of
0.27 g of copper in the solution is converted into copper ions by the supplied of
electrical energy. It is believed that the copper atoms losses its electrons in order to
produce copper ions. This is known as oxidation process which occurs at anode
(positive electrode). Therefore, 774 C of charge is needed in order to convert the
copper atoms into copper ions (Cu2+). As a result of the charged measured, 2.416
×10 21 of copper ions are produced at the anode. Then, the copper ions (Cu 2+) are free
to move to the cathode which is the negative terminal. It is observed that there is
increment in the weighed of the cathode after the electrolysis. This indicates that there
is copper deposited on the surface of the cathode. The mass gain at the cathode after
electrolysis is 5.25 g. It can be assumed that 4.60 ×10 20 Cu atoms/g have been
deposited on the cathode and converted into copper. From what have been measured
based on the conducted experiment, there are some relative errors in the measured
values on the anode and cathode. The measured value at anode deviated 5.68 % from
the expected value while the measured value at cathode deviated 95.15 % from the
expected value.

H2SO4 (aq) → 2H+ (aq) + SO42‾ (aq)

Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) solution contains free moving H+ and SO42‾ ions when they
ionized in water solution. When the power supply is switch on, the hydrogen atoms
loss its electrons in order to produce hydrogen ions (H +). This process occurs at the
anode. This process is known as oxidation which involves losses of electrons: H 2 (g)
→ 2H+ (aq) + 2ē

Meanwhile, reduction process occurs at the cathode. Reduction is a process where

ions gain electrons. Through the process, when the hydrogen ions (H +) is passed into
the solution, it will move to the negative electrode which is the cathode. After a while,
hydrogen gas is evolved as there are bubbles formed at the cathode:

2H+ (aq) + 2ē → H2 (g)

For Trial 2 which is conducted with sulphuric acid (H 2SO4) solution, the average
charge measured is 1137 C and 0.44 g of hydrogen atoms is lost in the solution. The
losses of 0.44 g of hydrogen atoms in the solution is converted into hydrogen ions by
the supplied of electrical energy. It is believed that the hydrogen atoms losses its
electrons in order to produce hydrogen ions. This is known as oxidation process
which occurs at anode (positive electrode). Therefore, 1137 C of charge is needed in
order to convert the hydrogen atoms into hydrogen ions (H+). As a result of the
charged measured, 3.548×10 21 of hydrogen ions are produced at the anode. Then, the
hydrogen ions (H+) are free to move to the cathode which is the negative terminal. It
is observed that there is slightly increase in the weighed of the cathode after the
electrolysis. This indicates that there is hydrogen gas evolved at the cathode. The
mass gain at the cathode after electrolysis is 0.07 g. It can be assumed that 5.07 ×10 22
H atoms/g have been deposited on the cathode and converted into hydrogen gas.
From what have been measured based on the conducted experiment, there are some
relative errors in the measured values on the anode and cathode. The measured value
at anode deviated 14.98 % from the expected value while the measured value at
cathode deviated 434.8 % from the expected value.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the objective of this experiment is achieved as we were able to make an
experimental measurement of Avogadro’s number using an electrochemical technique
(electrogravimetry). The Avogadro’s number for anode in trial 1 is 5.68x1023 mol-1
while it is 5.12x1023 mol-1 in trial 2. Besides, the Avogadro’s number for cathode in
trial 1 is 2.92x1022 mol-1 and it is 3.22x1024 mol-1 in trial 2. The true value of
Avogadro’s number is 6.022x1023 mol-1. The relative % error in measure value of
anode in trial 1 is 5.68% and 14.98% in trial 2. The relative % error in measure value
of cathode is 95.15% in trial 1 and 434.8% in trial 2.