Extraction of Copper - Purification by Electrolysis.

The anode is a block of impure copper.
The cathode is a thin piece of
pure copper.
When electricity is passed through the cell
copper is dissolved at the anode by oxidation
and Cu2+ ions go into solution.
Cu(s) - 2e-
Cu2+(aq)
At the cathode, copper is deposited by reduction.
Cu2+(aq) +
2e-
Cu(s)
As copper
ions move from the anode to the
cathode
the anode gets smaller as the cathode gets bigger.
This is a redox
reaction (continued).
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