In our last post: Electrolysis of Some Typical Electrolytes (Part I) , we studied the electrolysis of acidified water, dilute sodium chloride and brine under different conditions. Here, we will be looking at the electrolysis of copper (II) tetraoxosulphate (VI), CuSO4, solution. In solution, copper (II) tetraoxosulphate (VI) undergoes complete ionization to form copper (II) ions, Cu2+, and tetraoxosulphate (VI) ions, SO4--, according to the equation: CuSO4(aq) ----> Cu2+(aq) + SO4--(aq) .....................(i) Note that the two minus signs attached to the SO4 stand for 2- Electrolysis of Dilute Copper (II) tetraoxosulphate (VI) Using Inert (Platinum or Carbon) Electrodes The ions present in copper (II) tetraoxosulphate (VI) solution are Cu2+, SO4-- and H+, OH-; with the latter pair coming from the dissociation of water. Expectedly, the OH- and SO4-- ions migrate to the anode, while the H+ and Cu2+ ions migrate to the cathode.
...demystifying chemistry for learners!