Electrolysis

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Electrolysis

Aim: The aim of the investigation is to find the amount of copper

gained or lost on the electrodes using a different amounts of current

each time during electrolysis. How does the changing of the current

and surrounding temperature effect the electrodes?

Variables: Throughout the experiment I will change the amount of

current used. I will measure the weight of the electrodes after each

test.

To make the test fair I will be keeping the same electrodes throughout

the experiment.

Prediction: I predict that as the current increases the mass gained on

the anode will decrease and the mass gained on the Cathode will

increase. The reason that I predict this is due to what I have been

taught this year about the process of electrolysis. Electrolysis is

the process of decomposing the compounds by electrical energy and an

element is produced at each electrode. In this case I have chosen

copper sulphate solution to electrolyse. In the experiment when the

solution is being electrolysed it starts to decompose and at cathode

there is copper formed and oxygen at the anode. This is caused by

electricity from the power supply, which has caused a chemical change.

At cathode copper ions become atom and formed on it:

Cu2+ + 2e- Cu

At anode the copper decompose forming copper ions:

Cu Cu2+ - 2e-

Therefore the result is that anode wears away while cathode gains mass

Plan: The apparatus I will use for the investigation is listed below:

·D.C. power supply - for providing the power for the experiment.

·Ammeter - for measuring the amount of current flowing though the

circuit.

·Electrodes [Anode (+) and Cathode (-)]

·Circuit wire - for connecting up the apparatus to the power supply.

·Beaker - for holding copper sulphate solution.

·Copper sulphate solution - for doing the electrolysis experiment.

·Wire wool - for cleaning the electrodes.

First I will start by cleaning each of the electrodes with wire wool

then dipping each in water followed by ethanol and propanone.

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