Spend about 10 minutes on this activity.

Electrolysis can be used to purify impure copper.

1. State the:
a) name of the electrolyte used
b) type of substance used as the cathode
c) type of substance used as the anode
d) electrode on which the pure copper deposits
e) observations made at both electrodes.

2. State the names of the products formed at the cathode during the electrolysis of copper sulfate using carbon electrodes.

Electrolysis of impure copper involves using copper(II) sulfate as the electrolyte, with pure copper as the cathode and impure copper as the anode. At the cathode, pure copper is deposited, while at the anode, impure copper dissolves. The overall electrolysis process purifies the copper by separating impurities and depositing pure copper. ;

Answered by GinnyAnswer | 2025-07-07

Electrolysis of impure copper utilizes copper(II) sulfate as the electrolyte, with pure copper as the cathode and impure copper as the anode. At the cathode, pure copper deposits, while at the anode, the impure copper dissolves. Products at the cathode include deposited pure copper, while hydrogen gas may occasionally form at the anode under certain conditions.
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Answered by Anonymous | 2025-07-15