Chapter 6

Experiment 6.3
Choice of ions to be discharged
based on position of ions in the
electrochemical series
By Pearl HasleighTaunan

AIM
To

study the factor that determines the choice

of ion to be discharged based on the position
of the ion in the electrochemical series

Problem Statement
How

does the position of the ions in the

electrochemical series influence the choice
of ion to be discharged?

Variables

Manipulated
Position of ion in the electrochemical series

Responds
Product at the electrode

Constant
The concentration of the electrolyte solution / type of
electrode

Materials
0.5

mol dm copper(II) sulphate solution

0.5

mol dm diluted sulphuric acid

Wooden

splinter
Carbon (graphite) electrode

Apparatus
Electrolytic

cell

Battery
Test

tubes
Ammeter
Switch
Connecting wires with crocodile clips
Retort stand

Diagrams

Observation

Copper(II) sulphate solution (Diagram A)

Electrode Observation Gas test (if any) Inference

Anode

Cathode

Colourless
Gas produced
Oxygen
bubbles are lights up a
gas is
released
glowing wooden formed
splinter
Brown solids
are
deposited

Copper
metal is
formed

Observation
Observation on
copper(II) sulphate
solution
Copper(II) sulphate
solution fades

Inference

Copper(II) ions are

changed to copper atom.
Concentration of
copper(II) ions decreases.

Observation

Dilute sulphuric acid (Diagram B)

Electrode

Observation

Gas test (if any)

Inference

Anode

Colourless
bubbles are
released

Gas produced
lights up a glowing
wooden splinter

Oxygen gas is
formed

Cathode

Colourless
bubbles are
released

Gas produces a
pop sound when
tested with a
lighted wooden
splinter

Hydrogen gas
is formed

Analysis
Meaning of:
a) Anion - a negatively charged ion
b) Cation - a positively charged ion

Analysis
Electrolyte
Formulae of ions found in
the solution

Copper(II) sulphate
solution

Dilute sulphuric acid

Cu+ , SO4
H+ , OH

Cu+
SO4
OH

Formula of ions
that are
attracted to

Anode

SO4
OH

SO4
OH

Cathode

Cu+
H+

H+

Formulae of
ions chosen to
be discharged at

Anode

OH

OH

Cathode

Cu+

H+

The halfequation for the

chemical
changes that
occur at

Anode

4OH(aq)2H2O(l) + O2(g) + 4e

4OH(aq)2H2O(l) + O2(g) + 4e

Cathode

Cu+(aq) + 2eCu(s)

2H+(aq) + 2eH2(g)

Analysis
Copper(II)

sulphate solution
Why does certain ions are chosen to be discharged
at:
a) Anode Hydroxide ions are chosen because it
is located below sulphate ions in
electrochemical series.
b) Cathode Copper(II) ion are chosen because it
is located below hydrogen ion in
electrochemical series.

Analysis
Dilute

sulphuric acid (Diagram B)

Why does certain ions are chosen to be
discharged at:
a) Anode Hydroxide ions are chosen because it
is located below sulphate ions in
electrochemical series.

Conclusion
The

The

hypothesis made is accepted.

ions located at the lower part of the

electrochemical series will be chosen to be
discharged at the electrodes.