We just had a lab where our objective was to find the molar mass of Copper using electrolysis. A question on my post lab asks:
Would it make a difference if Cu(NO3)2, instead of CuSO4, we’re used in the copper half cells in this experiment? Why or why not?
If more info is needed let me know. Anything helps!
information
Using four electrodes (two copper in the electrolytic cell, one copper and one zinc in the galvanic cell), we put them in CuSO4 solution for 45 minutes to see a redox reaction occur while measuring milliamps. The milliamps went from 30.4 initially to 30.9 in the end. Will the results be affected if Cu(NO3)2 was used instead of CuSO4?
Cu(NO3)2 and CuSO4 should produce the same results.
To answer the question of whether it would make a difference if Cu(NO3)2 were used instead of CuSO4 in the copper half cells, we need to understand the role of the electrolyte in this experiment.
In an electrolysis experiment, the electrolyte is the substance that contains ions and allows the flow of electric current. It facilitates the movement of ions between the electrodes, and in this case, the copper half cells.
CuSO4 and Cu(NO3)2 are both commonly used as electrolytes in copper electrolysis experiments, but they have different chemical compositions. Copper sulfate (CuSO4) contains sulfate ions (SO4²⁻) along with copper ions (Cu²⁺). On the other hand, copper nitrate (Cu(NO3)2) contains nitrate ions (NO3⁻) along with copper ions (Cu²⁺).
The choice of electrolyte affects the composition of the solution and can influence the efficiency and accuracy of the experiment.
When comparing CuSO4 and Cu(NO3)2, it is important to consider the presence of the sulfate and nitrate ions. These ions can participate in other chemical reactions that may alter the results of the experiment. For example, if other metal ions are present, they can compete with copper ions for deposition on the cathode and contaminate the result.
Therefore, in the case of determining the molar mass of copper by electrolysis, using CuSO4 is generally preferred due to its specificity for copper ions in the solution. CuSO4 ensures that only copper ions are being reduced at the cathode, yielding more accurate results. Cu(NO3)2, on the other hand, introduces nitrate ions that may interfere with the deposition of copper.
In conclusion, using CuSO4 instead of Cu(NO3)2 would make a difference in this experiment. CuSO4 is a more suitable electrolyte for accurately determining the molar mass of copper by electrolysis, ensuring that only copper ions are reduced at the cathode.