1.

0 INTRODUCTION
Electrolysis is a reaction that can only occur when energy is supplied with an external electric current such as a battery. This process is important for the extraction of reactive metals such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and aluminium to improve their appearance and reduce corrosion. It also helps to prevent rusting and in refining metals such as copper. Electrolysis is a method of using a direct electric current to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction. They separate elements from naturally occurring sources using electrolytic cells. The key process of electrolysis is the interchange of atoms and ions by the removal or addition of electrons from the external circuit. The required products of electrolysis are in some different physical state from the electrolyte and can be removed by some physical processes. For example, in the electrolysis of brine to produce hydrogen and chlorine, the products are gaseous. These gaseous products bubble from the electrolyte and are collected. A liquid containing mobile ions (electrolyte) is produced by

Solvation with a solvent (such as water) to produce mobile ions An ionic compound is melted (fused) by heating An electrical potential is applied across a pair of electrodes immersed in the electrolyte.

Each electrode attracts ions that are of the opposite charge. Positively charged ions (cations) move towards the electron-providing (negative) cathode, whereas negatively charged ions (anions) move towards the positive anode. At the electrodes, electrons are absorbed or released by the atoms and ions. Those atoms that gain or lose electrons to become charged ions pass into the electrolyte. Those ions that gain or lose electrons to become uncharged atoms separate from the electrolyte. The formation of uncharged atoms from ions is called discharging.
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The objective of this experiment is to carry out the electrolysis with two metals in copper (II) sulphate solution and to link their findings with the industrial electrolytic refining of copper.

2.0 MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY

2.1 EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS AND MATERIALS The materials and apparatus used for this experiment are DC power, 1L beaker and 2 insulated electrical wires with crocodile clips at each end. The apparatus used for electrodes are metal strips of Tin, Aluminium and Copper. Meanwhile the apparatus used for the electrolyte solution is CuSO4 solution of any molarity. 2.3 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
PART A: ELECTROLYSIS OF COPPER (II) SULPHATE

1. Both the + and electrodes are obtained. It is cleaned with emery paper and rinsed with distilled water and dried thoroughly. The masses are weighed and recorded. The electrolyte solution is filled for about 2/3 in a 1L beaker. The anode and cathode is immersed by clamping them to the rim of the beaker using the crocodile clips. It is made sure that the electrodes do not touch each other. The electrodes are then connected to the instrument. The current was switched on and set to allow 0.3 ampere of current to pass through the solution. 7. 6. 5. 3. 4. 2.

After 15 minutes, the electrodes were removed from the electrolyte and are washed carefully with distilled water and dried in the oven. electrodes were re-weighed. After about 8 times step 7 was repeated, and the current was switched off. 10. The electric charge (coulombs) using Q=It was calculated. 11. The graph of electric charges in coulombs was plotted corresponding to the increase in weight of cathode. From the graph, the slope of equation was found. 8. The dry 9.

PART B: PURIFICATION OF COPPER ELECTROLYTICALLY

1. Copper strips were thoroughly cleaned using emery paper and is rinsed carefully with distilled water. 2. Both copper strips were dried and then weighed. 3. In the copper (II) sulphate solution, the cleaned copper was connected to the negative supply (cathode) and the other strip to positive supply using crocodile clips. 4. The voltage was switched on and the electrolysis ran for 15 minutes. 5. The reaction that took place was observed. 6. The electrodes were carefully removed from the solution. It was rinsed with distilled water, dried and weighed again.

3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 CALCULATION AND ANALYSIS
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Initial mass of Aluminium plate: 2.70g Mass measured: mass initial mass Time(mins) 15 30 45 60 Time(sec) 900 1800 2700 3600 Mass(g) 2.795 2.904 3.032 3.123 Mass measured (g) 0.095 0.204 0.332 0.423

By using Faradays law: Q=IxT Where, I=0.3A T= time in second

Q (C) 270 540 810 1080

Mass measured (g) 0.095 0.204 0.332 0.423

Electrolysis is used in the mining industry to split reactive metals from their ores after they are extracted (taken) from the ground. It is also used to plate (cover) things with metal because it costs less than using, for example, 100% pure solid gold to make jewellery. Calculate number of coulomb: Cu2+ + 2e -----> Cu(s) Moles of Cu(s) deposited, n(Cu) = moles of electrons required, n(e) Moles of Cu= n(Cu) = mass MM Mass Cu deposited = 6.35g MM = 63.55 g mol-1 (from Periodic Table) n(Cu) = 6.35 63.55 = 0.099 mol 1 mole of copper is deposited from 2 moles electrons n(Cu) = n(e) = x 5.18 x 10-5 = 2.59 x 10-5 mol Q=Fxn
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= (96500) x (2.59 x 10-5 mol) = 2.499 C Calculate the time. I=4A Q=Ixt t=Q/I = 2.499 C / 4A = 0.63 s 3.2 DISCUSSION Electrolysis is used in the mining industry to split reactive metals from their ores after they are extracted (taken) from the ground. It is also used to plate (cover) things with metal because it costs less than using, for example, 100% pure solid gold to make jewellery.

4.0 CONCLUSION
After the electrolysis experiment as described above, the electrodes can be interchanged. Can then see the copper disappearing from the surface of the copper-coated anode Cu(s) Cu2+(aq) + 2eThis leads to a conclusion as to why, during electrolytic refining, where the anode consists of an unrefined sample of the metal and the cathode is made of pure copper or a support metal such as stainless steel. The electrolysis can be done using two weighed copper strips. This is to confirm that the mass gained at the cathode is equal to the mass loss at the anode. The reaction at the cathode is: Cu2+(aq) + 2e Cu(s) The concentration of Cu2+ ions in solution remains constant. In a given time as many of these ions are produced at the anode as are being removed at the cathode.

5.0 LIMITATION OF EXPERIMENT

5.1 ERRORS THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED A few errors may have occurred during the experiment. When taking readings from the voltmeter, parallax error could have occurred causing the results to be slightly deviated. 5.2 IMPROVEMENT AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS To improve the results of the experiment, it is vital to follow all the correct procedures of the experiment. A few improvements can be done to reduce errors in the experiment. We must make sure to count exact 15 minutes for each cycle. There are some safety precautions that we must follow throughout the experiment. Firstly, the safety goggles should be worn throughout the experiment to avoid unwanted eye injuries.

6.0 REFERENCE
1. D.Dowson (1988) Applications of Engineering (4thed.) Leeds-Lyon:Institute of

Tribology
2. Walt Boyes (2008) Instrumentation Reference book (4thed.) Butterworth-

Heinemann.Walt Boyes

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