(a) Give the products of electrolysis of dilute copper (II) tetraoxosulphate(VI) solution using the following materials as electrodes:
(i) carbon rod;
(ii) copper rods
(b) For each of the process in (a) above;
(i) write the anodic half reaction;
(ii) state how electrolysis affects the pH of electrolyte
Explanation
(a) Copper element is produced at the cathode and oxygen gas produced at the anode during the electrolysis of CuSO\(_4\). solution using carbon rod as electrodes.
(ii) Using copper rods as electrodes in the above electrolysis, corpper element is deposited at the cathode and the copper anode dissolves into the ions.
(b)(i) 4OH\(^-_{(aq)}\) \(\to\) 2H\(_2\)O\(_{(l)}\) + O\(_{2(g)}\)
Cu\(_{(s)}\) -> Cu\(^{2+}_{(aq)}\) + 2e
(ii) The electrolysis increases the acidity of the electrolyte and hence the pH is lowered in value.