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electrolysis help?

During electrolysis of copper sulphate, a steady current of 0.40 A is recorded in the circuit for a period of 600 seconds. During the electrolysis positive copper ions reach the cathode and each ion gains two electrons to form a copper atom thereby increasing the mass of the cathode. At the same time copper atoms form copper ions at the anode maintaining a constant concentration for the solution.

If the mass of a single copper atom is 1.06 × 10–25 kg, what is the total increase in mass for the cathode during this experiment?

1 Answer

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  • Fern
    Lv 7
    5 years ago

    Charge of 1 electron = 1.60 x 10^-19 coulombs

    Cu+2 + 2e- ==⇒ Cu

    0.40 ampere = 0.40 coulombs/second

    0.40 coulombs/second x 600 seconds = 240 coulombs

    240 coulombs x 1 electron/1.60 x 10^-19 coulombs x 1 atom Cu/ 2 electrons = 7.5 x 10^20 atoms Cu

    7.5 x 10^20 atoms Cu x 1.06 x 10^-25 kg/1atom Cu x 1000 g/1kg = 0.0795 grams Cu

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