Electrolysis

⚡⚡⚡

Maurice
04.11.2022
11 TH
GRADE SCIENCE

AIM
To investigate the effect of using inert and active electrodes on the electrolysis of copper (II) sulphate
solution.

APPARATUS & MATERIALS

Beaker // Alligator Clips // 5A Power Supply // Insulated Wires // Litmus Paper // Copper
Electrodes // Graphite Electrodes // Copper (II) Sulphate

PROCEDURE
1. An electrolytic cell was set up as shown in the diagram above, using graphite electrodes and
copper (II) sulphate as the electrolyte.
2. The anode and cathode were observed, occurrences at each electrode were noted. The colour of
the electrolyte was also observed and a piece of blue litmus paper was dipped into the electrolyte.
3. The experiment was repeated using copper electrodes.

OBSERVATIONS

Graphite Anode Graphite Cathode Electrolyte Litmus Paper

Mass is reduced
Copper is deposited as a Turns blue litmus paper a
pink brown solid on the Blue colour fades darker red, indicating it is
Foamy bubbles produced cathode a stronger acid
around anode

Copper Anode Copper Cathode Electrolyte Litmus Paper

Copper is deposited as a
Turns blue litmus paper
Mass is reduced pink brown solid layer on Nothing much changes
red, indicating it is acidic
the cathode

DISCUSSION
Electrolysis is the chemical change occurring when an electric current is passed through an electrolyte. In
the electrolysis of aqueous copper (II) sulphate using graphite electrodes, we have H +(aq) and OH- (aq) ions
present from water & Cu2+(aq) and SO42-(aq) ions present from copper (II) sulphate. The H+(aq) and Cu2+(aq) ions
go to the cathode, copper is lower than hydrogen on the electrochemical series, therefore it is
preferentially discharged at the cathode where: Cu 2+ (aq) + 2e- -> Cu (s) (Reduction) which is deposited as a

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pink brown solid on the cathode. The copper (II) sulphate’s signature blue colour also fades due to the
copper disappearing. The OH- (aq) and SO42- (aq) ions migrate to the anode, hydroxide is lower than sulphate
ions on the electrochemical series, so it is preferentially discharged at the anode where: 4OH - (aq) -> 2H2O
(l) + O2 (g) + 4e (Oxidation). The water returns to the electrolyte while the oxygen gas evolves out of the
-

container. The copper (II) sulphate becomes more acidic as the hydrogen ions remain in the electrolyte.

Products: At the Anode - O2 (g)

At the Anode - Cu (s)

In the electrolysis of aqueous copper (II) sulphate using copper electrodes, we have H +(aq) and OH- (aq) ions
present from water & Cu2+(aq) and SO42-(aq) ions present from copper (II) sulphate. The H+(aq) and Cu2+(aq) ions
go to the cathode, copper is lower than hydrogen on the electrochemical series, therefore it is
preferentially discharged at the cathode where: Cu 2+ (aq) + 2e- -> Cu (s) (Reduction) which is deposited as a
pink brown solid on the cathode. At the anode, things get interesting as the anode itself actively takes part
in the electrolysis process. The copper atoms in the anode leaves the anode and enters the copper (II)
sulphate as Cu2+(aq) ions: Cu (s) -> Cu2+ (aq) + 2e- (Oxidation). As the mass of the anode decreases, the mass
of the cathode increases proportionally, this is because the copper is being added as a layer to the cathode.
At the cathode, the process is the same as in the experiment with inert electrodes; however the colour of
the copper (II) sulphate remains the same due to the introduction of more copper from the decaying
anode.

Calculate the expected mass of copper to be deposited at the cathode.

Products: At the Anode - Cu (s)

At the Cathode - Cu (s)

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SOURCES OF ERROR // PRECAUTIONS // LIMITATIONS
Sources of Error: Inaccurate voltage measurements // Fluctuations in the current

Precautions: Avoid allowing the two electrodes to touch // Wear rubber gloves to avoid electrocution

REFLECTION
Through this lab topic I’ve learned how metal layers are imparted onto jewellery, i.e. gold onto a largely
platinum ring, cutting costs and tricking unwise customers. I’ve also learned that it can be used in
anodizing to create an oxide coating on metals.

CONCLUSION
The products using inert electrodes are O2 (g) at the anode and Cu (s) at the cathode whereas with active
electrodes, the products are Cu (s) at both the anode and cathode.