Practical 6 Aim : To determine the value of Avogadros constant by means of the electrolysis procedure : 1 mol dm-3 copper(II) sulphate

solution and two copper plates. : Batteries, 250 cm3 beaker, connecting wires with crocodile clips, ammeter, switch and stopwatch.

Materials Apparatus

Procedure: 1. Clean two pieces of copper plates using sand paper and weigh them. 2. Fill a beaker with 1 mol dm-3 copper(II) sulphate solution until it is half full. 3. Set up the apparatus as shown in Figure 6, turn on the switch and start the stopwatch. 4. Adjust the rheostat to allow a small current to pass through. 5. Record the reading of the ammeter. 6. Switch off the current after 30 minutes. 7. Record the changes at the anode and the cathode. 8. Wash the copper plates and dry them with propanone and weigh again.

Figure 6: Electrolysis to determine the value of Avogadros constant

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Questions: 1. Theoretically, the weight gain of copper in one electrode should be the same as the weight loss in another electrode. Explain why there is a slight discrepancy in these two values when you carry out in this experiment. (1m) 2. Write balanced equations for the reactions occur in anode and cathode. (2m)

3. State and explain two ways to improve the accuracy of the results obtained. (4m) 4. Apart from determining the Avogadro constant, state and explain another two uses of electrolysis in industry. (4x2m)

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