Mark Scheme

PEKA Chemistry Form 4

Experiment No : ......6.1............
Topic: Electrochemistry

Aim To investigate the effect of the position of ions in the electrochemical series on selective
discharge of ions at the electrodes

Problem statement Does the position of ions in the electrochemical series affect the selective discharge of
ions at electrodes?

[ K1PP1(i) - Able to write the aim or problem statement correctly]

Hypothesis The lower the position of ions in the electrochemical series, the higher is the tendency
for the ions to be discharged.

Variables Manipulated variable : Position of ions in the electrochemical series

Responding variable : Ion discharged at the electrode
Fixed variables : Concentration of electrolyte, types of electrode, duration of
electrolysis

[ K1PP1(ii) - Able to write the hypothesis or variables correctly]

Materials 0.5 mol dm-3 sodium nitrate solution, 0.5 mol dm-3 copper(II) nitrate solution,
0.5 mol dm-3 sodium sulphate solution

Apparatus batteries, carbon electrodes, connecting wires, ammeter, electrolytic cell, test tubes,
wooden splinter, matches

[ K1PP1(iii) - Able to list all the materials and apparatus correctly]

Procedure 1. Electrolytic cell is filled with 0.5 mol dm-3 sodium nitrate solution until it is half full.
2. The switch is turned on.
3. Observations are made at anode and cathode.
4. Any gas produced is tested by using a splinter.
5. Observations are recorded.
6. Steps 1 to 4 are repeated by replacing sodium nitrate solution with copper(II) nitrate
solution and sodium sulphate solution.

[ K1PP1(iv) - Able to write the procedure correctly]

Observation Electrolyte Ions present in Observation
electrolyte Anode Cathode
Sodium nitrate Na+, NO3 -, H+, OH- Gas bubbles are Gas bubbles are
released. released.
A colourless gas A colourless gas
relight a glowing produces ‘pop’
splinter. sound wgen
tested with
splinter.
Copper(II) nitrate Cu2+, NO3-, H+, OH- Gas bubbles are A brown solid is
released. deposited at
A colourless gas cathode
relight a glowing
splinter.
Sodium sulphate Na+, SO42- , H+, OH- Gas bubbles are Gas bubbles are
released. released.
A colourless gas A colourless gas
relight a glowing produces ‘pop’
splinter. sound wgen
tested with
splinter.

[ K1PP1(v) - Able to use a appropriate method to collect data ]

[ K3PP1 – Able to state the ions present in electrolyte and the observations ]

[ K3PP2 – Able to state a ion and an observation correctly ]

[ K3PP3 – Able to state all the ions presents and observations correctly ]

Communication
Electrolyte Half equation
Anode Cathode
- +
Sodium nitrate 4OH O2 + 2H2O + 4e 2H + 2e H2

Copper(II) nitrate 4OH- O2 + 2H2O + 4e Cu2+ + 2e Cu

Sodium sulphate 4OH- O2 + 2H2O + 4e 2H+ + 2e H2

[K4PP1- Able to write all the half equations correctly]

 Interpreting
Data Electrolyte Name of product
Anode Cathode
Sodium nitrate Oxygen gas Hydrogen gas
[K4PP2 – Able to Copper(II) nitrate Oxygen gas Copper solid
name the products Sodium sulphate Oxygen gas Hydrogen gas
formed at anode and
cathode correctly]

Conclusion The hypothesis is accepted.

[K4PP3- Able to state the hypothesis is accepted or rejected]

END