C5. Electricity and Chemistry

Electrolysis Virtual Cell

Pass current through electrolyte solutions (Copper Chloride, Water). Observe ion movement toward electrodes, copper plating, and gas bubble evolution in real time.

Virtual Viewport
-+5.0 V
Product at Cathode: Copper Plating (Brown) | Product at Anode: Chlorine Gas (Green Bubbles)

Active Sliders

VCell Voltage5.00V
010

Electrical potential driving electrolysis.

CConcentration20%
540

Electrolyte concentration in aqueous solution.

Syllabus Objectives

  • Define electrolysis, anode, cathode, and electrolyte
  • Predict products at cathode and anode for aqueous copper chloride
  • Describe redox half-equations occurring at electrodes.

Mathematical Equations

Cathode Reduction
Cu^{2+} + 2e^- → Cu
Anode Oxidation
2Cl^- → Cl2 + 2e^-

Inquiry Guide Sheet

1

Select Copper Chloride electrolyte. Set voltage to 6V. Identify which electrode receives plating.

2

Observe gas bubbles at the positive electrode. Test for chlorine (bleaches litmus paper).

3

Write half-equations for reduction at cathode and oxidation at anode.