what are the experiments you would do to find the best conditions for plating a sensible mass of copper securely on to the cathode?
Answers
Answer:
Determining What Factors Affect the Rate of Electroplating
Design
Research Question
How does adjusting the current flowing through an electrolytic cell influence the rate at which a
metal is electroplated?
Variables
Independent- Current (A)
Dependent- Difference in Mass (g)
Controlled- Anode (copper penny), Cathode (quarter), Power Supply, Solution (copper (II)
sulfate), Scale, Time of Reaction, Surface area of penny and quarter submerged in solution
Hypothesis
As the current flowing through the electrolytic cell is increased, the mass transferred from the
anode to cathode will increase. These variables will share a linear relationship. This is due to the
fact that as current is increased from the power supply, more electrons are flowing through the
electrolytic cell, and as more electrons flow through the system, more cations are also flowing
through the system, which are attracted to and deposit on the cathode.
Materials
250mL beaker, Approximately 100mL or more of copper (II) sulfate, DC power supply, 3 copper
cables for power supply (2 banana-alligator [1 black 1 red], 1 banana-banana [red]),
Approximately 5 copper pennies (dated pre-1972) and 5 quarters, Timer, Scale, Ammeter