Chapter 20, Problem 72A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The cathode and anode in the refining setup needs to be identified.

Concept introduction:

In an electrolytic cell, the negative terminal is the cathode and the positive terminal is the anode.

Answer to Problem 72A

In the electrolytic refining of copper, the anode and cathode are determined by the electrical connections. The piece of copper to be refined is connected to the positive terminal to be made anode and the pure copper strip is connected to the negative terminal to be made cathode.

Explanation of Solution

The anode gets ionized in the electrolytic cell and ions in the solution get deposited on the cathode. Therefore the impure copper is made anode and the pure copper is made cathode.

Conclusion

The determination of anode and cathode depends on the purity of the copper pieces and the electric connections.