Electrolysis Experiment Notes

Overview

• Experiment focuses on separating copper and chloride ions using electricity.
• Utilizes electrolysis for separation.

Equipment Used

• Power Supply: 12 volts, DC (Direct Current)
  • One electrode continuously positive, the other negative.
• Electrode Holder: Supports electrodes above the beaker.
• Carbon Electrodes: Held in place with crocodile clips.

Setup

• Wiring:
  • Black wire connected to negative terminal.
  • Red wire connected to positive terminal.
• Copper Chloride Solution:
  • Blue-colored solution due to copper ions.

Procedure

1. Attach wires to crocodile clips and place electrodes into the copper chloride solution.
2. Turn on the power supply at 12 volts.
3. Observe changes at each electrode:
   • Positive Electrode:
     • Gas formation (bubbles observed).
   • Negative Electrode:
     • Solid formation noted (precipitate).

Observations

• Positive Electrode:

  • Chlorine gas produced (confirmed by bleaching moist blue litmus paper).
  • Characteristic smell of chlorine noted.

• Negative Electrode:

  • Solid formed is copper.
  • Copper ions attracted to the negative electrode gain electrons to form solid copper atoms.

Conclusion

• The electrolysis of copper chloride solution successfully separates copper and chlorine ions, producing chlorine gas at the positive electrode and solid copper at the negative electrode.