A strip of impure copper metal is given to you. Describe briefly how you will purify it by using chemical effect of electric current. Draw a labeled diagram of experimental set up used for this purpose.
Answers
Answer:
By electrolysis
Explanation:
Copper is an element which is a very good conductor of electricity, therefore it is electrolytically refined.
Copper Sulfate is used as the electrolyte. A strip of pure copper is kept as the cathode and impure copper is kept as the anode. Due to the movement of current in the circuit formed, the copper ions in copper sulfate break apart and travel towards the cathode. On the other hand, the copper kept as the anode simultaneously gets ionised and enters the electrolyte.
Therefore, the anode continuously gets thinner and thinner while the cathode keeps getting bigger. The impurities left behind settle at the bottom and are known as the anode mud.
(Note: The blue color of solution doesn't fade because copper ions from the anode are continuously added to the electrolyte)