PRACTICAL 6

ELECTROLYSIS

AIM: To determine the value of Avogadro’s constant by means of the electrolysis

procedure.

HYPOTHESIS: the value of Avogadro’s constant can be determined by the mole of

copper produces at anode during electrolysis.

VARIABLES:

a) Constant: concentration of copper (II) solution, amount of current, time for current
to switch off.
b) Manipulative: number of mole.
c) Responding: value of Avogadro’s constant.

MATERIALS: 1 mol dm-3 copper (II) sulphate solution and two copper plates.

APPARATUS: Batteries, 250 cm3 beaker, connecting wires with crocodile clips,
ammeter, switch and stopwatch.

PROCEDURE:

1. Two pieces of copper plates are cleaned using sand paper and being weight.
2. A beaker is filled with 1 mol dm-3 copper (II) sulphate solution until it is a half full.
3. The apparatus being set up as shown in figure 6, then the switch is being turn on
and the stopwatch being started.
4. The rheostat being adjust to allow a small current to past through.
5. The reading of ammeter is recorded.
6. The current is switch off after 30 minutes.
7. The changes at the anode and the cathode are recorded.
8. The copper plates being wash and dry with propanone. Then, it will be weight
again.
RESULT:

Mass / g Fat and Short (anode) Thin and long (cathode)

Initial 2.549 2.723
Final 2.266 2.794

DISCUSSION:

Numbers of mole dissolve (at anode)

Mass = 2.549 – 2.266

= 0.283g

Number of mole = mass / atomic relative mass

= 0.283 / 63.55

= 4.453 X 10-3

Number of atom dissolve = number of mole X Avogadro’s constant

= 4.453 X 10-3 X 6.02 x 1023

= 2.68 X 1021

Number of atom participate (at cathode)

Mass = 2.794 – 2.723

= 0.071g

Number of mole = 0.071 / 63.55

= 1.117 X 10-3

Number of atom participate (at cathode)

= 1.117 X 10-3 X 6.02 X 1023

=6.72 X 1020
QUESTIONS:

1. Theoretically, the weight gain of copper in one electrode should be the same as
the weight loss in another electrode. Explain why there is a slight discrepancy in
these two values when you carry out in this experiment.

Because not all the copper ion formed at anode participate at cathode to form
copper atom. Thus, there is slight discrepancy of the weight of copper.

2. Write balanced equations for the reactions occur in anode and cathode.

Anode: Cu Cu2+ + 2ē
Cathode: 4OH- 2 H2O + O2 + 4ē

3. State and explain two ways to improve the accuracy of the results obtained.

 Minimize the current flow in the circuit to make sure the copper atom can
be ionized.
 Cleaned up the copper plates using sand paper so there is no other
substances attached at the copper plates.

4. Apart from determining the Avogadro constant, state and explain another two
uses of electrolysis in industry.

 Production of oxygen for spacecraft and nuclear submarines.

 Production of hydrogen for fuel, using a cheap source of electrical energy.

CONCLUSION:

The value of Avogadro’s constant can be determined by the mole of copper produces at
anode during electrolysis. Hypothesis accepted.