Copper (II) tetraoxosulphate (VI) solution is electrolyzed using carbon electrodes. Which of the following are produced at the anode and cathode respectivel...

Copper (II) tetraoxosulphate (VI) solution is electrolyzed using carbon electrodes. Which of the following are produced at the anode and cathode respectively ?

Answer Details

During electrolysis, oxidation occurs at the anode while reduction occurs at the cathode. In this case, copper (II) tetraoxosulphate (VI) is being electrolyzed, so the copper ion (Cu2+) and the sulfate ion (SO42-) are present in the solution. At the anode, oxidation occurs, and the sulfate ion (SO42-) is likely to be oxidized to oxygen gas (O2) and water (H2O) since carbon is a good oxidizing agent. Thus, option B (oxygen and copper) is correct. At the cathode, reduction occurs, and copper (II) ions (Cu2+) are likely to be reduced to copper metal (Cu) since copper is more likely to be reduced than hydrogen. Therefore, option B (oxygen and copper) is the correct answer.