CHEMISTRY PROJECT

Determination of magnitude of
charge on an electrode by
method of electrolysis.

SUBMITTED TO: DR AZHAR ASLAM KHAN

SUBMITTED BY: MOHAMMAD WAJAHAT

 CERTIFICATE

I have the extreme pleasure to certify that

Mohd. Wajahat student of standard 12th section C
J.D. Tytler School has pursued his work and
prepared the said project “Determination of
magnitude of charge on an electrode by method
of electrolysis”. Under my supervision and
guidance.
This is being submitted for complete fulfilment
of requirement for secondary school certificate.

Dr. Azhar Aslam Khan

Head of Chemistry Department
J.D. Tytler School, New Delhi

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The work presented ahead wouldn’t have been
possible without the precious guidance from my
chemistry teacher Mr. Azhar Aslam Khan.
He guided me throughout the course of this
project and his valuable insights and tips solved
my most of the problems which I faced during
the execution of this project.
The knowledge imparted by sir during the classes
have immensely helped me in performing this
experiment and coming out with an accurate
result.
His concepts and the clarity which he provided to
me and as well as all of his students has made
this project work a lot easier.
I again would like to present my thanks to our
dearest teacher Mr. Azhar Aslam Khan.
And also I want to thank Mr. Suresh Khatyal and
Mr. Bans Bahadur for extending their
unconditional support during the course of
execution of this project.
Mohd. Wajahat
XII-C

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 Index
1. Apparatus
2. Introduction
3. Faradays law
4. Theory
5. Procedure
6. Calculations
7. Results
8. Precautions
9.Bibliography

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 APPARATUS USED
1. Ammeter
2. Copper Electrodes
3. Rheostat
4. One way Key
5. Copper Sulphate Solution(CuSO4) solution
(100gm in 1000 gm distilled water)
6. Glass Rod
7. Acidified Water
8. Battery Eliminator
9. Glass Vessel

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PAGE 5
 INTRODUCTION

Pure liquids in general are bad conductors of

electricity at room temperature.
Metallic salts or acid if added, the conductivity of
the liquid increases.

This increase in conductivity of the liquid on

dissolution of the salt or acid makes the base of
our experiment.

We use this phenomenon to perform electrolysis

and hence demonstrate the accumulation and
dissolution of copper electrodes respectively.

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 ELECTROLYSIS
The process of electrolysis can be explained by
the Ionization Theory which states that when an
electrolyte is dissolved in water or taken in
molten state, the electrolyte dissociates to
produce positively and negatively charged ions.

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This process of breaking molecules into two parts
in a solution is called ionization.

Now, on passing electric current to the solution

by dipping two metal rods, the positively charged
ions move towards cathode and are called
Cations and the negatively charged ions move
towards anode are called Anions.

This process of decomposition of a compound by

electric current is called Electrolysis.

On reaching their respective electrodes the ions

become neutral species, the cations take
electrons from cathode and become neutral
specices. Whereas the anions give electrons to
anode and become neutral species.

Thus, oxidation occurs at anode and reduction at

cathode.

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The conversion of these charged ions into neutral
species at their respective electrodes is called
primary change.

FARADAY’S LAW
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The mass of the substance(W) deposited of
liberated at any electrode is directly proportional
to the quantity of electricity or charge(Q) passed
during the process of electrolysis.

Wα Q

Where
W = Weight of the substance in (gm)
Q = Quantity of charge passed(coulombs)

Or,
Wα I*T

Wα Z*I*T

Where, I is the current passed

T is the time for which current is passed
Z is the constant Electrochemical Equivalent

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 FARADAY’S SECOND LAW

When the same quantity of electricity is passed

through different electrolytes, the masses of
different ions liberated at the electrodes are
directly proportional to their chemical
equivalents (Equivalent weights)

Chemical Equivalents
The weight in grams of a substance that
combines with or displaces one gram of hydrogen

Thus, according to second law, M is the mass of

ions liberated and E is the chemical equivalent.

Mα E

M/E= CONSTANT
Or,

If M1 and M2 are two masses of two different

substances, liberated at their respective

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electrodes as a result of passage of same amount
of current through them,
Then,
M1/M2 = E1/E2 = CONSTANT

Where E1 and E2 are the chemical equivalents of

ions.
From first law, we have

M1/M2 = (Z1*I*T)/(Z2*I*T) = CONSTANT

Comparing,

M1/M2 = Z1/Z2 = E1/E2

Z1/Z2 = E1/E2

Therefore,

E/Z = CONSTANT = F

THEORY

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  A solution of CuSO4 was electrolyzed
using copper electrodes.
 The time for which the DC current was
noted and the quantity of charge flowing
was calculated using.

Q = I*T

Where
Q = Charge in coulombs
I = Current in ampere
T = Time for which current passes.

 Next, the amount of copper deposited was

noted. Then number of copper atoms were
calculated using formula.

No. of Cu atoms=
(Wt. of Cu*Avogadro No.)/(Atomic
Weight)
 But number of electrons flowing is twice the
number of atoms since copper is reduced.
Hence the charge was determined by using.

E = Q/ No. of Electrons
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 The potential of electrodes also determines
the amount of deposition. More powerful the
battery, more is the deposition.
 The dissociation constant of an electrolyte
also determines the deposition.
 More polar compounds are found to
dissociate and deposit much faster.
 The dilution factor of an electrolyte also
plays an important role in amount of
dissociation.
 More the dilute electrolysis lesser the
deposition.
 Conductivity of electrolyte also determines
the amount of deposition.
 Deposition also depends upon the reactants
and the relative oxidation state of ions.

PROCEDURE
Take an electrolytic cell and fill it with
CuSO4 solution of above mentioned
strength. Insert two copper electrodes into

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the cell and connect them to positive and
negative terminals of a DC source which is
kept constant.
Also connect an ammeter in series with
circuit to measure and keep the current
constant.
Keep the circuit ON to get a better deposit.
When electrolysis is stopped note the precise
time and dry the electrodes and weigh the
cathode with fractional weights.
Compare the initial and final weights.

CALCULATIONS
Current = 0-0.5 A
Initial weight of cathode = 18.55 gm
Final weight of cathode = 18.85 gm

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 Weight of copper deposited = 0.30 gm

Time for which the current was passed =

15 min. * 60 secs = 900
sec

Q = I*T = 0.5*900 = 450 C

No. of atoms deposited = (0.3*6.023*1023)/63.546

= 0.0284335*1023
Charge on an electron = 450/0.0284335*1023
= 1.5826.4*10-19 C
Current = 1.0 A
Now initial weight of cathodes = 18.85 gm
Final weight of cathode = 19.24 gm
Weight of Cu deposited = 0.39 gm
Time = 10 min * 60 sec = 600 sec

Q = I*T = 1* 600 = 600

No. of Cu atoms deposited = 0.4*6.023*1023/63.54

= 0.03794126931*1023

Charge on an electron = 600/0.0379126931*1023

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 = 1.5825834*10-19 C
Current = 1.1 A
Now initial weight of cathode = 19.24
Final weight of Cu deposited = 0.45 gm
Time = 10 min*60sec= 600 seconds
Q = I*T = 1.1*600 = 660 C

No. of Cu atoms deposited=0.45*6.023*1023/63.54

= 0.0426517*1023
Charge on an electron = 660/0.0426517*1023
= 1.55474 * 10-19 C

RESULT
The charge on an electron verified with the help
of electrolysis is 1.58*10-19 C.

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 PRECAUTIONS
1. Dry the electrodes fully before weighing
them.

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2. Care should be taken to get a pure solution of
CuSO4.
3. CuSO4 solution should be stirred regularly.
4. CuSO4 should be fully dissolved by heating if
required.
5. Electrodes should not be manhandled.
6. Cu plate should be properly weighed.
7. Electrodes should dip in the solution
properly.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. NCERT chemistry Part – I

PAGE 19
2. Pradeep’s Fundamental
3. Physical Chemistry O.P. Tandon

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