Name: Ariel Williams
Grade: 10B
Lab #11
Date: 04/03/25
Title: Electrolysis
Aim: To investigate the effect of using inert and active electrodes on the electrolysis of copper
(II) sulphate solution
Materials Apparatus
- Two copper electrodes - 2 × 9V batteries
- Two graphite electrodes - Measuring cylinder
- 1.0M Copper (II) sulphate solution - Wires
- Blue litmus paper
Method
1. 50 mL of 1.0M Copper (II) sulphate solution was measured using a measuring cylinder
and then poured into a beaker.
2. Two graphite electrodes were connected to wires using alligator clips.
3. The 9V battery's positive terminal was attached to the wire connected to the graphite
electrode that would serve as the anode, and the negative terminal to the wire connected
to the graphite electrode that would serve as the cathode.
4. The electrodes were placed into the copper (II) sulphate solution in the beaker, ensuring
they did not touch each other.
5. The anode and cathode were observed, and notes were taken on what occurred at each
electrode.
6. The electrolyte's colour was observed, and a piece of blue litmus paper was dipped into
the solution.
7. The experiment was repeated from step 2 to step 6 using copper electrodes instead of
graphite electrodes.
8. All observations were recorded in a suitable table.
Variables
Independent Dependent Control
- Type of electrodes - The products formed - Concentration of
used (graphite and at the electrodes (such Copper (II) sulfate
copper) as copper deposition, solution (1.0M)
gas bubbles, or colour - Volume of Copper (II)
changes in the sulfate solution (50
solution) mL)
- Voltage of the 9V
battery
- Separation between
the electrodes
- Arrangement of the
electrodes in the
solution
Results
Name: Mortimer Duke
Class: 10B
Lab # 11
Date: 03/03/2025
Title: Electrolysis
Aim: To investigate the effect of using inert and active electrodes on copper (II) sulphate
solution electrolysis.
TABLE SHOWING OBSERVATIONS WITH THE COPPER (II) SULPHATE
SOLUTION, COPPER AND GRAPHITE ELECTRODES AND THE BLUE LITMUS
PAPER DURING THE ELECTROLYSIS OF COPPER (II) SULPHATE SOLUTION.
Electrolysis of Electrodes
CuSO₄ (aq)
Graphite Copper
Anode Bubbles began to evolve at The anode became dull and
the anode. reduced in size.
Cathode Shiny, brown deposits began The cathode became shiny
to form. and increased in size.
Electrolyte The blue colour of the The blue colour of the
electrolyte faded. electrolyte stayed the same.
Blue Litmus Paper The blue litmus changed to The blue litmus stayed the
pink. same.
Data Analysis
1. Classification of Electrodes
- Graphite Electrodes:
These are inert electrodes because they do not participate in the electrolysis process.
- Copper Electrodes:
These are active electrodes because they participate in the electrolysis process.
2. Observations from the Experiment
Using graphite electrodes, bubbles formed at the anode from oxygen gas production,
whereas with copper electrodes, the anode became less shiny and decreased in size as
copper was oxidized to Cu²⁺ ions. In both experiments at the cathode, a lustrous brown
deposit appeared; however, using graphite electrodes revealed this deposit to be copper
metal reduced from Cu²⁺ ions in the solution, while copper electrodes saw the cathode
itself grow larger due to extra copper being deposited on it. Moreover, in the initial
experiment (graphite electrodes), the blue colour of the electrolyte diminished as Cu²⁺
ions were taken out without any replacement, whereas in the second experiment (copper
electrodes), the blue colour stayed consistent since the Cu²⁺ ions lost at the cathode were
compensated by those from the dissolving copper anode. In the initial experiment, the
blue litmus paper turned pink because acidic conditions developed, whereas in the second
experiment, it remained unchanged since there was no notable pH alteration.
3. Reactions in the Anodes
In the first experiment (graphite electrodes), oxygen gas was released at the anode
because graphite is inert and does not participate in the reaction.
Half-equation at the anode (oxidation):
− −
4O𝐻 (aq) 𝑂2 (𝑔) + 2𝐻2𝑂 + 4𝑒
In the second experiment (copper electrodes), the copper anode lost mass because the
copper metal was oxidized into copper ions.
Half-equation at the anode (oxidation):
2+ −
Cu (s) 𝐶𝑢 (aq) + 2𝑒
4. In the initial experiment using graphite electrodes, oxygen gas emerged at the anode,
resulting in the creation of hydroxide ions (OH⁻), which rendered the solution acidic.
Consequently, the blue litmus paper changed to pink, signifying the existence of an acidic
setting.
5. In the initial experiment using graphite electrodes, Cu²⁺ ions were extracted from the
solution during electrolysis, resulting in the electrolyte's blue colour diminishing. In the
second experiment involving copper electrodes, the Cu²⁺ ions that were lost at the cathode
were consistently replenished by ions from the dissolving copper anode, thus resulting in
the electrolyte's blue colour remaining the same.
Discussion
This experiment investigated the effect of using inert and active electrodes on copper (II)
sulphate solution electrolysis. It showed how inert (graphite) and active (copper) electrodes
influence the electrolysis of a copper (II) sulphate solution. The findings revealed notable
differences in how the electrodes behaved and the resulting alterations in the electrolyte.
With graphite electrodes, gas bubbles formed at the anode as a result of oxygen being produced
− −
from the oxidation of hydroxide ions 4O𝐻 (aq) 𝑂2 (𝑔) + 2𝐻2𝑂 + 4𝑒
At the cathode, copper metal was deposited when Cu²⁺ ions from the solution accepted electrons
Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ Cu(s). This ongoing removal of Cu²⁺ ions led to a fading blue colour in the
electrolyte. Furthermore, the generation of oxygen gas created an acidic environment, causing
the blue litmus paper to turn pink.
In contrast, with copper electrodes, the anode gradually lost its shine and decreased in size, as
2+ −
solid copper was oxidized to Cu²⁺ ions Cu (s) 𝐶𝑢 (aq) + 2𝑒 . Meanwhile, at the
cathode, these Cu²⁺ ions were converted back into solid copper, increasing in size of the cathode.
Because Cu²⁺ ions were added back at the same rate they were consumed, the blue colour of the
electrolyte remained consistent, and there was no significant change in pH, keeping the blue
litmus paper unchanged.
This experiment demonstrated that inert electrodes facilitate the movement of ions, whereas
active electrodes both dissolve and deposit substances, influencing the colour of the electrolyte
and the results of the electrolysis.
Sources of Error
- Poor connections of electrodes – Loose alligator clips or inadequate contact between the
wires and electrodes can disrupt the flow of current and influence the electrolysis process.
- Contaminants in the electrolyte or electrodes – Impurities present in the copper (II)
sulfate solution or on the electrodes may hinder the anticipated reactions.
- Variable electrode positioning – If the electrodes are positioned at varying depths or
distances from each other in the solution, it could affect the rate of ion movement and the
effectiveness of the reactions.
Precautions
- Alligator clips must be tightly connected to the electrodes to facilitate appropriate current
flow.
- The copper (II) sulfate solution and electrodes need to be clean and devoid of impurities
to prevent undesired reactions.
- Electrodes should be positioned at equal depths and spaced evenly apart in the
electrolyte to guarantee uniform outcomes.
Limitations
- The usage of 9V batteries might result in an unstable voltage, which could impact the
effectiveness of electrolysis over time.
- The length of the experiment may be inadequate to witness notable changes in the mass
of the electrodes or full-colour transformations in the electrolyte.
- The limited dimensions of the electrodes within a small beaker might not offer enough
surface area for the electrolysis reaction to occur as effectively as it would on a larger
scale.
Conclusion
This experiment investigated the effect of using inert and active electrodes on copper (II)
sulphate solution electrolysis. As a result, it demonstrated that the type of electrode has an
impact on electrolysis, influencing the reactions occurring at both the anode and cathode, as well
as alterations in the electrolyte. It revealed that inert electrodes facilitate ion movement without
undergoing any chemical reaction, while active electrodes engage in dissolving and depositing
materials. This insight is crucial for industrial processes such as electroplating, metal refining,
and battery development, where precise control of electrolysis is vital.
References
- Brown, P. (2022, July 17). electrolysis copper sulfate solution with copper carbon
graphite electrodes electroplating half-equations products anode-cathode apparatus
electrolyte cell gcse chemistry KS4 science igcse O level revision notes.
Www.docbrown.info.
https://www.docbrown.info/page01/ExIndChem/electrochemistry04.htm
