Question

In an electrolytic cell, what would be the difference if 2 lead electrodes were used instead of carbon electrodes? *electrolyte solution is copper (II) sulphate

Answer 1

Carbon would not react. Copper will. Can you tell what happens to the copper electrodes?

Answer 2

Lead electrodes though. Carbon electrodes do in fact react btw.

Answer 3

My bad I read copper. Carbon won't when it's copper sulphate, if I remembered correctly. I am sleepy. But here's how you tell: look at their electronegativity. The ion that is more electronegative will react instead of the less one.

Answer 4

http://www.lenntech.com/periodic-chart-elements/electronegativity.htm

Also, I am for now confused if it depends on who is more electronegative or electropositive. Sorry.

Answer 5

We did a lab and the carbon was plated with copper...

Answer 6

Yes. The carbon electrodes themselves won't react. What you saw there was the copper ions accepting electrons to form copper atoms and deposit at the electrode.

Answer 7

This is because carbon is less reactive than copper. The best electrode is made of selenium because it is even less reactive than carbon, meaning the electrodes will not interfere with the reactions we want. Also, I've figured it out now: in the last link I gave you, the higher it is in the list, the more it will react.

Answer 8

thanks (:

Answer 9

You're welcome