18.12.

14

Problem Statement: An antique shop owner has two medals from the 1800s,
one made of gold, and the other made of copper. He thinks that the copper medal
which would be coated with the copper metal will be preserved longer. Plan and
design an experiment to prove this hypothesis.

Title: Electrolysis

Hypothesis: The Copper metal will deposit more metal than the gold on the
medal during electrolysis and will be preserved longer.

Aim: To compare the electroplating of a copper and gold medal using the
process of electrolysis.

Apparatus and Materials: Gold rod, , 2 graphite rods, Copper rod,

solutions of CuSO4 (aq), solution of Sodium Gold Sulfite (AuNaO3s),
connecting wires, 2 voltmeters, timer, 2 large beakers, 2 ammeters, 2
switches, power supply.
DIAGRAM

Procedure:

Set up Apparatus twice as shown in diagram above CuSO4 in one and

AuNaO3S in the other.
Weigh the Electrodes
Place a graphite and copper electrode into the Copper Sulfate
Place a graphite and gold electrode into Sodium Gold Sulfate
Set the timer for 60 minutes
Close switch and start the timer simultaneously
Monitor the power throughout the voltmeter and ammeter for the 60
minutes.
Take observations
Open Switch at the end of the 60 minutes and remove electrodes from
the solutions.
Weigh Electrodes again
Observe medals
Record the results
Variables:

Controlled: time, size of current, electrolyte

Manipulated: Type of electrode, type of medal
Responding: Amount of metal electroplated onto metal

Expected Results:

Table showing Type of metal and the initial and final masses of
anode

Metal Mass/g
Anode Cathode
Initial Final Initial Final
Gold X1 X2 Y1 Y2

Copper S1 S2 T1 T2

Expected Calculations:

Amount of metal deposited on the copper cathode

Y1- Y2

Expected Discussion:

Electrolysis is the process by which an electrical current is passed through a

molten or aqueous ionic substance which causes it to decompose. Two
medals of the material copper and gold were electroplated with a second
casing of the same metal to be preserved. Electroplating is a process that
uses electric current to reduce dissolved metal cations so that they form a
coherent metal coating on an electrode. Graphite rods were used to assist in
finding out the amount of metal deposited. The rod which is found to have
more metal deposited will be the one thought to preserve the medal for
longer. The electrode would have a larger increase in mass compared to the
other. During electrolysis using active electrodes the mass of the anode
decreases as the negative ions pass through. Hence, in this experiment the
mass of the anodes decreased. The difference in mass will be seen by
subtraction the final mass the electrode from the initial and the same will be
noticed for the cathode. The metal which is assumed to deposit more on the
medals is copper.
Precautions:

Ensure that the switch remains on throughout the 60 minutes.

Ensure timer is started simultaneously as switch is closed and switch is
opened when the timer is done.
Ensure the copper sulphate and sodium gold solutions are of the same
concentration and volume.

Sources of Error:

Amount of current did not remaining constant throughout experiment.

The volumes of the two electrolytes were not the same
The copper anode had impurities

Conclusion: The Copper medal was found to have more metal deposited as
compared to the gold medal through the process of electrolysis.

Reflection: From this experiment I have learnt that electroplating can be

used to increase the mass size of metals.