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SBA # YY MM DD
7 20 01 23

Ridhi Parwani

Title: Electrochemistry

Aim: To investigate the effect of the passage of an electric current through copper
(II) sulfate solution using graphite electrodes.

Material/Apparatus:
● Copper (II) sulfate solution
● Graphite electrodes
● A 9V battery
● A 9V bulb
● Bulb holder
● Electrode holder
● 3 connecting wires
● 3 attached crocodile clips

Procedure:
1. 50cm of thc copper sulfate solution was poured into a beaker.
2. An electrical circuit was prepared using one 9V battery, a 9V bulb,
electrical/connecting wires, and attached crocodile clips.
3. The graphite electrodes were attached to the crocodile clips and were
inserted in the copper (II) sulfate solution.
4. The apparatus was left to stand for 20 minutes and the observations were
recorded.

Drawing:

FOR TEACHERS ONLY

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SBA # YY MM DD
7 20 01 23

Ridhi Parwani

Observations/Results:
Some observations were made like when the bubbles were slowly forming at the
anode, copper forming at cathode and rapid bubbling as current increases.

Analysis:
Electrolysis is the process by which ionic substances are broken down into simpler
substances when an electric current is passed through them.
In this experiment the type of electrode which was used was graphite and it was
the anode. Graphite is a strong electrolyte and a good conductor of electricity so
that is why graphite was used.
Half equation:
-Cathode reaction: Cu2+ + 2e- -> Cu
-Anode reaction: 4OH -> 2H2O + O2 + 4e-
If an electric current for the above experiment was passed for 10 minutes, using a
current of 3 amperes:
(1 mole of e= 96500 coulombs= 1 Faraday) Ar or Cu=64
i. What volume of gas would be liberated at the anode?
time= 10 min
=10 x 60s= 600s

Half equation at the anode:

4OH-> 2H2O+ O2+4e-
C x t= Q
3 x 600= 1800C
96500 x 4= 386000
Number of moles= 1800/ 386000
=0.005 mol
volume of gas= 0.005 x 24= 0.12 dm3
The volume of the gas at the anode is 0.12 dm3
ii. What mass of solid would be deposited at the cathode?
mass= moles x molar mass
0.005 moles x 64 g/mol
=0.32g
The mass of solid at the cathode is 0.32g.

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3
SBA # YY MM DD
7 20 01 23

Ridhi Parwani

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the rate of electrolysis increased as the

current increased. This is shown by a faster increase in mass of the cathode.

Limitations/Precaution/sources of error:
Copper sulfate solution causes skin and serious eye irritation so you must wear
gloves and eye protection while doing this experiment.

Reflection: I learned that the gain in mass by the negative electrode is the same as
the loss in mass by the positive electrode. So the copper deposited on the negative
electrode must be the same copper ions that are lost from the positive electrode. If
copper electrodes were used instead of graphite it would have been better as graphite is
inert.

FOR TEACHERS ONLY

SKILLS ASSESSED M/M ORR A/I P/D
MARK OBTAINED