Question:
During extraction of metals, electrolytic refining is used to obtain pure metals,
(a) Which material will be used as anode and cathode for refining of copper metal by this process
(b) Suggest a suitable electrolyte also,
(c) In this electrolytic cell, where do we get pure copper after passing electric current ?
Solution:
In the electrolytic refining of impure copper metal :
(a) A rod of impure copper is used as anode while that of pure copper as cathode.
(b) The electrolyte is a water soluble salt of copper. It is normally an aqueous solution of copper sulphate.
(c) On passing current, pure copper gets deposited at the cathode. It can be scrapped off later on. For more details.