Question

What will happen during the electrolysis of aqueous solution of CuSO₄ in the presence of Cu electrodes?

(i) Copper will deposit at cathode.

(ii) Copper will dissolve at anode.

(iii) Oxygen will be released at anode.

(iv) Copper will deposit at anode.

Answer 1

(i) Copper will deposit at cathode.

(ii) Copper will dissolve at anode. 

Explanation:

In the electrolysis process of $$\mathrm{CuSO}{\phantom{A}}_4$$ the following reactions occur at the half cell which is as follows:

At the cathode, the reaction goes this way,

$$\mathrm{Cu}{\phantom{A}}^{2+}+2\mathrm{e}{\phantom{A}}^{-}⟶\mathrm{Cu}(\mathrm{s})$$

At the anode, the reaction goes this way,

$$\mathrm{Cu}(\mathrm{s})⟶\mathrm{Cu}{\phantom{A}}^{2+}+2\mathrm{e}{\phantom{A}}^{-}$$

Here copper will be deposited at the cathode and copper will dissolve at the anode.