explain the electrolysis process of copper chloride
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The electrolysis will only take place when electricity is passed through the copper chloride solution. The positive copper(II) ions Cu2+ (from copper sulfate) and the H+ ions (from water) are attracted to the negative cathode. Only the copper(II) ion is discharged (preferentially).
Low concentrations of chloride favor the formation of the blue copper ions. High concentrations of chloride favor the formation of the greenish tetrachlorocuprate ions.
Copper is purified by electrolysis. In this process copper is transferred from an impure anode to the cathode of an electrolytic cell. The insoluble impurities fall to the bottom. The copper produced by this process is 99.99% pure copper.
Electrolysis (of copper chloride) is a way of splitting up (decomposition) of the compound (copper chloride) using electrical energy. The electrical energy comes from a d.c. (direct current) battery or power pack supply. A conducting liquid, containing ions, called the electrolyte (aqueous or molten sodium chloride), must contain the compound (copper chloride) that is being broken down. The electricity must flow through electrodes dipped into the electrolyte to complete the electrical circuit with the battery. Electrolysis can only happen when the circuit is complete, and an electrical current (electricity) is flowing, then the products of electrolysing aqueous copper(II) chloride solution are released on the electrode surfaces where they can be collected. Electrolysis always involves a flow of electrons in the external wires and electrodes and a flow of ions in the electrolyte and there is always a reduction at the negative cathode electrode (which attracts positive ions, cations) and an oxidation at the positive anode electrode (which attracts negative ions, anions) and it is the ions which are discharged to give the products.