Li

 Po  Chun  United  World  College  ChemistryHL  IA Tony Kwok

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Chemistry Higher Level Internal assessment

Research  question:   How  does  the  concentration  of  aqueous   CuSO4·∙5H2O  

affect  the  rate  of  copper  electroplating?  

School : Li Po Chun United World College

Candidate Number : 000638 0104
Candidate Name : Kwok Siu Pang
Teacher Advisor : Jon Chui
Word Count : 3063
 of 11
1
Li  Po  Chun  United  World  College  ChemistryHL  IA Tony Kwok

Exploration
Research question: How does the concentration of aqueous CuSO4·5H2O affect the rate of
copper electroplating?

Background
Electrolysis is an important industrial process used to obtain reactive metals, such as sodium,
from their common ores. It works in the electrolytic cell where electricity is passed through an
electrolyte and electrical energy is converted into chemical energy. An electrolyte is a
substance which does not conduct electricity when solid, but does conduct electricity when
molten or in aqueous solution and is chemically decomposed in the process. As a result,
electrolyte stands an important role in the process of electrolysis.
The objective of the experiment is to investigate the correlation between the concentration of
the electrolyte and the rate of electrolysis.

Theory
In this experiment, copper plate is used as an electrode in anode. At the same time, carbon bar
will be used as an electrode in cathode and CuSO4·5H2O with different concentrations (0.2M,
0.4M, 0.6M, 0.8M and 1M) stands as an electrolyte. The reaction is expected as shown below:

Copper Plate Carbon Bar

Own made figure.

Anode : Cu(s) → Cu2+(aq) + 2e-

Cathode : Cu2+(aq) + 2e- → Cu(s)
During electrolysis of aqueous salt, there are usually four ions present. The cation will be
discharged at the negative electrode (cathode) and the anion at the positive electrode (anode).
At the cathode where Reduction occurs, Cu2+ is consumed to form Cu(s) by gaining two
electrons from the battery. At the anode where Oxidation occurs, Cu(s) is used and become
Cu2+ by losing two electrons. The copper bar (Cu) is used as a replacement of Cu2+ in order to
maintain the concentration of the electrolyte so that the result of the experiment can be more
significant. Besides, Cu2+ and SO42-, hydrogen ions and hydroxides ions from the water will
also be presented. In the electrochemical series, H2O has higher position than Cu. Normally,
H2O should be preferentially discharged as equation shown below,
2H2O(l) → 4H+(aq) + 4e- + O2(g)
However, as copper electrode is used, Cu(s) has much higher concentration than H2O in this
case. Positive electrode is oxidised itself. As a result, H2O is not involved in the reaction. In
general, OH- is attracted to cathode while H+ is more likely presented in anode. Theoretically,
cathode will become alkaline and anode will become acidic. It is also expected that the carbon
bar is the object to be plated. Copper bar is the plated metals. The mass of carbon bar will
increase as time pass because more and more Cu is formed as mentioned above. In the

 of 11
2
Li  Po  Chun  United  World  College  ChemistryHL  IA Tony Kwok

meantime, the mass of copper bar will decrease because Cu become Cu2+ and dissolve into the
solution. Therefore, the mass of carbon bar increased represent the rate of electroplating.

Hypothesis
In this experiment, we assume that the increase of the concentration of electrolyte will result
in the higher rate of electrolysis. It can be explained that the higher concentration of
electrolyte has more solute in the solution. Particles become more crowded. Collision
frequency increases so effective collision frequency increases. As a result, the possibility of
Cu2+ (the solute) gaining electrons in cathode increases. The rate of electrolysis increases as a
consequence.

Variables
Independent variables Dependent variables

Concentration of CuSO4 solution Final mass of the carbon bar

Controlled variables Significance Solution

Time The longer duration of Every trial is conducted in 30

electrolysis, the more product to minutes.
be produced. This changes the
final mass of carbon bar and
therefore affect the experimental
data.

Temperature As temperature increases, the The experiment is conducted in

average kinetics energy of the room temperature.
particles increases. The particles
move faster so there will be more
effective collisions occurs. The
rate of electrolysis will be different
in varied temperature.

Voltage The higher voltage of battery is 3V is used in this experiment. This

used, will increase the rate of decision is made after balancing
electrolysis. However, when a the accuracy and efficiency.
high voltage is used (e.g. >5V),
there may some unknown metals
be oxidised or other materials
involved in the reaction. These
uncertainty could affect the data
hugely.

The immersing surface area of The higher surface area of
the two bars electrode will increase the contact
(Surface area) area among electrolyte and
electrode. More effective collusion
happens and lead to a higher rate
of electrolysis.
Same size of carbon bars and
copper plates are selected to use.
As only part of the electrodes will
immerse into the electrolyte, 2 cm
length is measured as a
immersing part by rule. The rest of
the part will be covered by
adhesive tape so that the
electrolyte can only touch the
immersing part.

 of 11
3
Li  Po  Chun  United  World  College  ChemistryHL  IA Tony Kwok

Apparatus
1. Carbon bars x 7
2. A bottle of CuSO4 (s)
3. Copper plates x 7
4. Electrolytic Cell
5. 3V Battery
6. Stop watch
7. wires x 2
8. beakers x 7
9. electrical balance
Method
1. Weigh 9.9874g(0.2M), 19.9748g(0.4M), 29.9622g(0.6M), 39.9496g(0.8M) and 49.937g(1M) of
CuSO4·5H2O (249.685g). In the process of weighing, put the CuSO4·5H2O directly into the

beaker which will be use in electrolysis. It can be avoided the error that some CuSO4·5H2O
sticked to the beaker/container during transferring to another beaker.
Calculation:
molar mass of CuSO4·5H2O = [63.5+32.1+4(16.0)]+5x[2(1.0)+16.0]=249.7g
(MCuSO4·5H2O)x(200/1000)x(Concentration)= mCuSO4·5H2O required
e.g. 249.7g x 200/1000dm3 x 0.2M = 9.988g CuSO4·5H2O(s) required in 0.2M 200ml
solution
2. Fill 200ml water into the beaker and mix with relevant mass of CuSO4·5H2O to prepare
0.2M, 0.4M, 0.6M, 0.8M and 1M of solutions. Stir the solution until CuSO4·5H2O is
completely dissolved.
3. Preparing copper plates and carbon bars. Select the carbon bars with same size. Same
step to copper plates. Use a ruler to measure 2 cm length of the bars and plates which will
expose to the electrolyte. Use the adhesive tape to cover the bar except the exposure part.
4. Weigh and record the initial mass of copper bar and carbon bar.
5. Connect the battery to the electrolytic cell and fill in the beaker with CuSO4 solution.
6. Install the copper bar on the Anode and carbon bar on the cathode. Make sure the
exposure part of the carbon bar and copper are completely immersed into the electrolyte.
7. Turn on the power of the battery and start timing. Check if 3 voltage is selected.
8. Record the qualitative data during electrolysis.
9. After 30 minutes, turn off the power and weigh the final mass of copper bar and carbon bar
to see the changes.
10. Record the result
11. Repeat the reaction with CuSO4 solutions in different concentrations.

 of 11
4
Li  Po  Chun  United  World  College  ChemistryHL  IA Tony Kwok

Analysis
Data Collection:
Qualitative data
Observation Explanation

All trials A yellowish brown layer was formed on the Copper was formed in the surface of carbon
surface of immersing part (without adhesive tape bar.
cover) of carbon bar.

Some In anode, some black solids dropped from the The copper plate was impure. Some
trials (not electrode. unknown black materials were dropped
specific) when Cu become Cu2+ and dissolve into
the solution. As the unknown materials are
insoluble, so they presented as black solid
form in the solution.

All trials The colour of electrode became light brown from
dark brown. The surface of copper became
smooth from tough. The copper in the surface is
easy to be removed. There is also fractal pattern
in the surface of the copper plate.
TABLE 1 SHOWING THE OBSERVATION DURING THE EXPERIMENT.
This may be due to some impurities sticking
into the surface of the copper. During the
electrolysis, the impurities dropped. The
copper plate is therefore changed its colour.
In addition, after the experiment, there may
some Cu2+ appear in the surface of copper
plate. Since Cu2+ is easier remove than Cu,
the surface of copper become smooth.

Quantitative Data
Trai Concentrati initial final mass The initial final mass The The rate
l on: mass of of copper change in mass of of carbon change in of
(±0.001g) copper bar bar mass of carbon bar bar mass of electroly
(g±0.001g) (g±0.001g) copper bar (g±0.001g) (g±0.002g) carbon bar sis (g/
(g±0.002g) (g±0.002g) hours) :

1 0.2M 13.179 13.174 0.005 1.070 1.099 0.029 0.058

CuSO4
(9.987g)

2 0.2M 12.670 12.635 0.035 1.080 1.122 0.042 0.084

CuSO4
(9.982g)

3 0.2M 11.957 11.931 0.026 1.071 1.111 0.040 0.080

CuSO4
(9.985g)

4 0.2M 12.098 12.067 0.031 1.070 1.109 0.039 0.078

CuSO4
(9.979g)
5 0.2M 13.024 12.988 0.036 1.089 1.132 0.043 0.086
CuSO4
(9.991g)

6 0.4M 11.919 11.883 0.036 1.070 1.130 0.060 0.12

CuSO4
(19.959g)

 of 11
5
Li  Po  Chun  United  World  College  ChemistryHL  IA Tony Kwok

7 0.6M 8.822 8.774 0.048 1.082 1.160 0.078 0.156

CuSO4
(29.983g)

8 0.8M 12.986 12.930 0.056 1.091 1.180 0.089 0.178

CuSO4
(39.967g)

9 1.0M 11.932 11.588 0.344 1.079 1.179 0.100 0.2

CuSO4
(49.924g)
TABLE 2 SHOWING THE RATE OF ELECTROLYSIS IN DIFFERENT CONCENTRATION OF
ELECTROLYTE AND OTHER RELEVANT DATA.

Calculation:
Change  in  mass  of  copper  =  Initial  mass  of  copper  —  Final  mass  of  copper  

Change  in  mass  of  carbon  =  Final  mass  of  carbon  —  Initial  mass  of  carbon  

!"#$%!!!""!!"!!"#$%& − !!"#"$%!!"##!!"!!"#$%&!!
!
Rate  of  electrolysis  =   30!!"#$ x  60  mins  
Trial : 1 2 3 4 5 Average Standard Percenta
0.2M (9.987g) (9.982g) (9.985g) (9.979g) (9.991g) deviation ge of
CuSO4 Standard
(g deviation
±0.001g)

Concentr 0.058 0.084 0.080 0.078 0.086 0.082 0.0037 4.453%

ation
0.2M
(g/h)
TABLE 3 SHOWING THE AVERAGE RATE OF ELECTROLYSIS OF 0.2M CONCENTRATION OF
AQUEOUS CUSO4.
First trial (0.2M CuSO4 (9.987g)) does not take into account in this case. It is estimated that
a significant error was made in first trial. This is probably because the poor conduct of
electricity of old wire was used.

Calculation:
Average  rate  of  electrolysis  =

e.g.  Average  rate  of  electrolysis  of  0.2M  trials= =0.082g/hrs

Percentage  of  standard  deviaEon  of  0.2M  trials=    

=  4.453%  

After balancing the time consumption and the accuracy of the experiment, 5 trials was
only conducted in 0.2M CuSO4 concentration in order to find the significance of random
error.Assuming that the trials in other concentrations have the same percentage of
standard deviation, a table of value of random errors will be collected as following,

 of 11
6
 Li  Po  Chun  United  World  College  ChemistryHL  IA Tony Kwok

0.2M CuSO4 0.4M CuSO4 0.6M CuSO4 0.8M CuSO4 1.0M CuSO4
(Average) (19.959g) (29.983g) (39.967g) (49.924g)

Random errors 0.00365 0.00534 0.00695 0.00793 0.00891

(3 sig.f.)

Calculation:
EsEmated  random  errors  of  other  concentraEons  =  4.453%  x  Rate  of  electrolysis  
e.g.    4.453%  x  0.12  =  0.00365  g /hrs  (3  sig.)  in  0.4M  trial
Data processing
To illustrate the trend of the changes in rate of electrolysis in different concentrations, a graph
is plotted as shown below,  

GRAPH 1 SHOWING THE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE CONCENTRATION OF ELECTROLYTE AND

THE RATE OF ELECTROLYSIS BY USING THE POLYNOMIAL TREND LINE.

Rate of electrolysis (g/hours)

0.22
y = 0.0733ln(x) + 0.195
R² = 0.9871
0.186

0.152

0.118

0.084

0.05
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Concentration (M)

GRAPH 2 SHOWING THE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE CONCENTRATION OF ELECTROLYTE AND

THE RATE OF ELECTROLYSIS BY USING THE LOGARITHMIC TREND LINE WITH ERROR BARS.

 of 11
7
Li  Po  Chun  United  World  College  ChemistryHL  IA Tony Kwok

Interpretation
In graph 2 above, there is positive linear trend shown with increasing the
concentration of electrolyte. The correlation of the line of best fit to the plotted points is
high suggesting that the data is quite accurate (since the line of best fit represents the
“theoretical” values), this is represented by the very high R2 values that indicate close
correlation. R2 value is over 0.9 showing that the concentration and the rate of
electrolysis has a very strong positive correlation. This indicates that the assumption
made above is correct.

First trial (0.2M CuSO4 (9.987g)) does not take into account in this case. It is estimated
that a significant error was made in first trial. This is probably because the poor
conduct of electricity of old wire was used. The is a anomaly and therefore is
eliminated. However, the elimination of this trial lead to the insufficient data to
represent the random errors. This will be discussed in “limitation.”

The random errors can be shown by standard deviation. Since 4 trials (supposed to be
five, one trial is eliminated) was only conducted in 0.2M CuSO4 concentration, the
percentage of standard deviation is calculated and used in other concentrations.
Therefore, random errors are bigger when the concentration is higher. But the random
error is only 4.453% which is insignificant. This means that the data collected is precise
and accurate. This can be matched with the high R2 values.

Graph 1 is plotted incorrectly even though there is a higher R2 value. As the graph
below has shown, when the concentration is higher than 2M, the rate of electrolysis
will drop. According to this graph, the hypothesis is also disapproved. However, this
does not make sense to the collision theory which indicate the increase in concentration
should result in more effective collision occurring and lead to a higher rate of reaction.

Graph 3 showing the equation of y = -0.0821x^2+0.2456x+0.036

Graph 1 is therefore replotted to be graph 2.

Graph 4 showing the equation of y = 0.0733ln(x) + 0.077

 of 11
8
Li  Po  Chun  United  World  College  ChemistryHL  IA Tony Kwok

Evaluation
Conclusion
The report provides observation and explanation in the qualitative data. However, some
observations are hardly explained, for instance, the fractal pattern appears in the surface of
the copper plate. To illustrate the trend of the changes in rate of electrolysis in different
concentrations, several graphs are plotted. The general trend of the graph shows a strong
positive correlation, which is justified by the 0.9871 𝑅2 value between the concentration and
the rate of electrolysis. This justifies the hypothesis is correct. Logarithmic trend line is a
more reasonable trend line than polynomial trend line. The hypothesis will be disapproved if
polynomial trend line is used. But logarithmic trend line still increase and become flatter
when the concentration is higher.

Scientific context
In the logarithmic trend line, the increase in rate of electrolysis is decrease when the
concentration is getting higher. This can be explained by collision theory. When concentration
increased, the density of particles increased. Since the surface of copper plate is constant,
there is a limited area for the particles to react. Assuming that each particle needs one unit2 of
surface area for the reaction occur, the table below is showing how the the increase in rate of
electrolysis is limited.
surface 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
area (unit2)

Number of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
particles

Reaction 1 2 3 4 5 5 5
rate
The table above shows that after 5 particles present, the reaction rate is limited to 5.
During electrolysis of aqueous salt, there are usually four ions present. The cation will be
discharged at the negative electrode (cathode) and the anion at the positive electrode (anode).
At the cathode where Reduction occurs, Cu2+ is consumed to form Cu(s) by gaining two
electrons from the battery. At the anode where Oxidation occurs, Cu(s) is used and become
Cu2+ by losing two electrons. The copper bar (Cu) is used as a replacement of Cu2+ in order to
maintain the concentration of the electrolyte so that the result of the experiment can be more
significant. Besides, Cu2+ and SO42-, hydrogen ions and hydroxides ions from the water will
also be presented. Since carbon bar is the object to be plated and copper bar is the plated
metals, the mass of carbon bar increased as time passed because more and more Cu is formed.
In the meantime, the mass of copper bar decreased because Cu become Cu2+ and dissolve into
the solution. Therefore, the mass of carbon bar increased represent the rate of electroplating.

Limitation:
In this experiment, 5 trials was only conducted in 0.2M CuSO4 concentration in order to
find the significance of random error even there is one trial was eliminated due to
systematic error. The random error of the 0.2M trials may not represent quality of the
data in this investigation is limited by the fact that there is only one data point for the
rest of the concentrations which means that there is the potential for random errors to
influence the data. The quality of the data could be enhanced by replicating each data
point 5 times so that an average value can be calculated. An average value will help to
eliminate the effect of random errors and give a value that is more accurate. In spite of
this shortcoming high degree of correlation between the data and the lines of best fit
suggest that the processed data is quite accurate. Increasing the number of increments
in the concentration would also make a trend in the data clearer.

 of 11
9
Li  Po  Chun  United  World  College  ChemistryHL  IA Tony Kwok

The following table highlights the possible sources of error and corresponding
improvements:

Limitation Types Significance preventing action Improvement

Purity of copper
Systematic error
The impurities Use sandpaper to Using 100% pure
cover the copper rub the surface of copper plate will
plate. This reduces the copper plate so increase the
the surface area of that the plate has a accuracy of the
the copper cleaner surface. data collected.
contacting solution Since the process
and therefore lead of the experiment Pro: more accurate
to a decrease in the does not consume data collected
rate of electrolysis. the whole copper Con: Higher budget
plate, the increase needed
in the surface of the
plate is enough.

The way of drying
Systematic error
After conducted Use tissue to wide Wait until it dry.
electrolysis, the softly.
copper plate is wet. Pro: more accurate
Using tissue to data collected
wipe the copper out Con: less efficient
of the plate. This
may reduce the
mass of the copper
and directly lead to
a decrease in the
rate of electrolysis.

The mass of solute Random error The mass of solute Measure the Measure the
are slightly different affects the CuSO4·5H2O mass CuSO4·5H2O mass
to the mass concentration of the close to +/- 0.01 to same to the
theortically. solution and lead to the theoretical theoretical mass.
error. As all trials mass. Pro: more accurate
have the same data collected
errors, the sum of Con: Hardly
the errors can achieved artificially.
make significant
impact.

poor conduct of Systematic error The first trial failed / Use the new wire
electricity of old due to this error.
wire The conductivity of Pro: more accurate
wire directly affect data collected
the the number of Con: Higher budget
electrons needed
transferring and
affect the rate of
electrolysis.

Safety and Ethics

Finishing the experiment, I dispose of the waste improperly which I did not rinse my CuSO4-containing
beakers into the inorganic  waste bottle. Instead, I have placed the  unrinsed  beakers into the

 of 11
10
Li  Po  Chun  United  World  College  ChemistryHL  IA Tony Kwok

detergent  basin and created a much larger volume of frothing  toxic  waste that is very difficult to
dispose of safely.

 of 11
11