Question

What is meant by ‘refining of metals’? Describe the electrolytic refining of copper??

Answer 1

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The metals obtained by different processes of reduction, except electrolytic reduction, contain various impurities. The removal of these impurities to obtain pure metals is called refining of metals.

Electrolytic refining of copper

In this process, the anode is made of impure metal and cathode is made of pure metal. The acidified solution of copper sulphate used is known as the electrolyte.

When electric current is passed through the electrolyte, the positively charged metal ions present in the electrolyte get attracted towards the negatively charged cathode. When metal ions come near the cathode, they gain electrons from it and get deposited there. Hence, as time increases, the cathode becomes thicker and thicker.

As the metal ions from the electrolyte move towards the cathode, an equal amount of ions is released by the anode into the solution. Therefore, as time increases, the size of the block of impure metal keeps decreasing i.e., the anode becomes thinner and thinner.

The soluble impurities present in the impure metal block go into the electrolytic solution. On the other hand, the insoluble impurities settle down at the bottom of the container (below the anode) and are known as anode mud

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Answer 2

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In electrolytic refining process, the impure metal is made as anode and the thin strip of pure metal is made as cathode.
A solution of the metal salt is made up as electrolyte solution.
On passing the current through the electrolyte , the pure metals from the anode dissolves into the electrolyte.
An equivalent amount of pure water from the electrolyte is deposited on the cathode.
Soluble impurities go into the solution and the insoluble impurities settle down at the bottom of the anode and are known as anode mud.