Experiment 6.

4
Title ：The effect of the type of electrode in electrolysis

Aim : To study the effect of the type of electrode on the selection of ion to be discharged at the electrode

Problem statement: How does the type of electrode affect the selection of ion to be discharged at the anode?

Hypothesis: 1. If carbon electrodes are used during the electrolysis of copper (II) sulphate solution, CuSO4,
then the hydroxide ion, OH-, is selected to be discharged at the anode.
2. If copper electrodes are used during the electrolysis of copper (II) sulphate solution, CuSO4,
then the Copper (II) ion, Cu2+, is formed at the anode.

Variables :(a) Manipulated : Type of electrode (carbon or copper)

(b) Responding : Product of electrolysis at the anode
(c) Constant : Type and concentration of electrolyte

Materials: 0.1moldm-3 copper (II) sulphate solution and wooden splinter

Apparatus: battery, carbon electrodes, copper electrodes, connecting wires with crocodile clips, electrolytic
cell, ammeter, test tubes and switch

Procedure :

1. The apparatus set-up are prepared with an electrolytic cell half-filled with 0.1 moldm-3 copper (II) sulphate
solution.
2. A test tube is fill completely with 0.1 moldm-3 copper (II) sulphate solution and then inverted at the anode.
3. The switch is turn on for 15 minutes. The changes that occur at the anode are observed and recorded.
4. Any gas released are tested using a glowing wooden splinter.
5. The result of the gas tested are observed and recorded.
6. Step 1 to 4 are repeated by replacing the carbon electrodes with copper electrodes.

Observation
Types of electrode Glowing wooden splinter test at anode
Carbon electrode Relight/rekindle the glowing wooden splinter

Copper electrode Does not relight/rekindle the glowing wooden

splinter
1
Discussion :
The ions present in the electrolyte during electrolysis are copper (II) ion, sulphate ion, hydrogen ion and
hydroxide ion. The ions selected to be discharged at the anode for carbon electrode are hydroxide ion. Hence
there are oxygen gas produced at the anode , which make the glowing wooden splinter rekindle. While The
ions selected to be discharged at the anode for copper electrode are copper (II) ion. Hence there are no
oxygen gas produced at the anode, but the increasing in size of anode will be observed.

Conclusion :
The hypotheses are accepted. The type of electrode will have an effect on the selection of ion to be discharged
at the anode.