How Does Changing The Amount of Electricity Effect How Much Copper is Deposited During Electrolysis?

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Nicola Goodwin

S11

How Does Changing The Amount of Electricity Effect How Much Copper is

 Deposited During Electrolysis?

Plan

I am going to investigate how changing the current, effects how much copper is deposited during electrolysis. The equipment I will use is as follows: -

A DC power pack        An ammeter        125cm³ of Copper Sulphate (CuSO4) solution                

A rheostat                A stopwatch        A thermometer                Some wires

2 Copper sheets (for the anode and cathode)          A beaker of water                A beaker of propanone

Piece of card with two slots about 4cm apart                Sandpaper        Electric Balance        Crocodile Clips

I will set up the equipment as follows: -

I will cut two pieces of copper both 8cm long and 2.5cm wide. I will then sand both pieces of copper with the sand paper, so that they have a rougher edge, then I will dip it into the beaker of water then in the beaker of propanone. Then I will let it dry in the air. Doing this will ensure the anode isn’t greasy, and has a rough edge, so that the copper will be able to stick to it. Once I have done this I will weigh both the anode and the cathode and record the weight. I will handle both electrodes with care to ensure they do not get re-greased. I will then put the electrolytes through the card; I will do this to control the distance they are apart from each other to ensure a fair test. I will continue to set up the equipment as it is in the above diagram. Then I will measure the temperature of the copper Sulphate solution, once I have done this I will turn the power pack on ensuring the power supply is on D.C. I will then use whatever current the power pack gives me, as it is very difficult to find a specific current using the rheostat. As soon as the current is set I will turn on the stopwatch and time it for 8minutes (480 secs). I will keep measuring the temperature of the copper Sulphate throughout the experiment to ensure it is kept at a constant. When the 8minutes are up, I will switch off the power supply, and very carefully take the anode and cathode out of the solution. I will then dip each one in the beaker of water followed by the beaker of propanone. I will allow them to dry, and then measure their masses again. I expect that the cathode should get heavier, by the same amount of grams as the anode got lighter. I will record my results in a table like this: -

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When I am doing the experiment, I will make sure both electrodes are submerged in the same amount of liquid as the reaction only takes place on the part of the electrodes in the liquid. Another reason why I will use the cardboard is to keep the electrodes from touching each other. If they meet, a short circuit will be formed, so in order for the electrons to follow, I need to keep the electrodes apart. The reason I am using a copper anode is so that the concentration of the copper ions is kept the same. This happens, ...

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