Faraday’s Second Law of electrolysis states that:
“The mass of an element deposited by one Faraday of electricity is equal to the atomic mass in grams of the element divided by the number of electrons required to discharge one ion of the element.”
Another piece of scientific theory we can use to support our predictions is:
At the anode (+):
Cu ® Cu2+ + 2e-
At the cathode (-):
Cu2+ + 2e- ® Cu
The copper at the anode releases copper ions and electrons, which float in the solution towards the cathode, where the copper ions and electrons deposit copper onto the cathode.
It was necessary to have a rough idea of how the results would turn out. This is possible to work out by using a series of simple of equations:
Ø Charge (C) = Current (A) x Time (sec.)
Ø Moles of Electrons or Faradays = Charge (C) / 96500
Ø Moles of Copper = Moles of electrons or Faradays / ratio=2
Ø Mass = moles x RAM
If the Current is 0.2A and the time taken 5 minutes
Ø Charge = 0.2 x (5x60)
Ø Faradays = 60/96500
Ø Moles of Copper = 0.0006217/2
Ø Mass = 0.0003108 x 64
Ø Mass = 0.0199 grams
If the Current is 0.2A and the time taken 10 minutes
Ø Charge = 0.2 x (10 x 60)
Ø Faradays = 120/96500
Ø Moles Copper = 0.0012435/2
Ø Mass = 0.0006217 x 64
Ø Mass = 0.0398 grams
If the current is 0.2A and the time taken 15 minutes
Ø Charge = 0.2 x (15 x 60)
Ø Faradays = 180/96500
Ø Moles Copper = 0.0018652/2
Ø Mass = 0.0009326 x 64
Ø Mass = 0.0597 grams
If the current is 0.2A and the time taken 20 minutes
Ø Charge = 0.2 x (20 x 60)
Ø Faradays = 240/96500
Ø Moles Copper = 0.002487/2
Ø Mass = 0.0012435 x 64
Ø Mass = 0.0759 grams
If the current is 0.2A and the time taken 25 minutes
Ø Charge = 0.2 x (25 x 60)
Ø Faradays = 300/96500
Ø Moles Copper = 0.0031088/2
Ø Mass = 0.0015544 x 64
Ø Mass = 0.0995 grams
These equations will help to support my predictions, as from these equations a “theoretical” table of values can be produced and those can be plotted against the actual result’s obtained. From this comparison, it will be possible to spot any anomalies in the results and from this explain why these may have occurred (see EVALUATION).
METHOD
The apparatus was set up as in the diagram below:
Copper Sulphate solution (50cm3) was poured into a small beaker. The two copper electrodes were thoroughly cleaned using water and steel wool, to scratch off the layers of copper from previous experiments. The electrodes were weighed, their masses recorded and placed into the beaker containing Copper Sulphate solution. The electrodes were connected to a cell and ammeter. A steady current flowed (0.2 Amps) and the experiment was stopped at definite times (i.e. 5,10,15,20,25 minutes). At these times the current was switched off and both electrodes were removed from the solution. They were then washed by dipping in distilled water, and dried by dipping into propanone (a highly volatile liquid which readily evaporates) and placed near an electric heater.
Once clean and dry both electrodes were both carefully weighed and their subsequent masses recorded.
RESULTS
ANODE (+)
CATHODE (-)
AVERAGE
THEORETICAL RESULTS
CONCLUSION
The results obtained support the prediction that the longer the current is left to flow, the more Copper metal is deposited on the cathode. It is now true to say that if the time is doubled the charge is doubled, and therefore the amount of copper produced. Proof of this can be seen in the obtained results:
In 10 minutes 0.0405 grams of Copper is produced.
In 20 minutes 0.0810 grams of Copper is produced.
0.0810 grams is exactly double 0.0405 grams.This proves the prediction that the longer the experiment lasts, the higher the charge and therefore, the higher the amount of Copper produced.
The actual results produce an almost straight-line graph, showing that:
Therefore, it has now been proved, through this experiment, that both of Faraday’s Laws Of Electrolysis are correct.
Faraday’s First Law of electrolysis states that:
“The mass of any element deposited during electrolysis is directly proportional to the number of coulombs of electricity passed”
Faraday’s Second Law of electrolysis states that:
“The mass of an element deposited by one Faraday of electricity is equal to the atomic mass in grams of the element divided by the number of electrons required to discharge one ion of the element.”
It has also been discovered that the copper anode releases copper ions and electrons, which form copper at the cathode.
At the anode (+):
Cu® Cu2+® 2e-
At the Cathode (-):
Cu2++ 2e-® Cu
EVALUATION
Although this was a successful experiment, there were some factors of the experiment, which could have been improved to make it even more successful. One of these factors could have been the electrodes, which, even after a good clean were still quite dirty and obviously still had irremovable substances from previous experiments still attached to them. If this experiment were to be repeated for a second time, in need of greater accuracy, it would be imperative to have a new pair of electrodes, which have never been used before.
Another factor which may have affected the overall outcome of the investigation, may have been the fact that the practical work of the investigation was carried over from lesson to lesson, meaning that variables such as the concentration or the amount of the Copper Sulphate solution could have changed between lessons. To overcome this problem, a stock solution of Copper Sulphate should have been made so as the concentration remained the same at all times. The same electrodes and equipment should have been used throughout. Also, when weighing, the same electrical balance should have been used as there may have been slight differences between the two balances. This is what could explain the anomaly (“freak” result) in the graph.
I found this investigation very interesting and am looking forward to investigating more of the variables in this experiment, which may or may not affect the mass of copper deposited onto the cathode, such as changing the Current or Temperature variable.