Name: Electrolysis of Aqueous Salts Using Inert Electrodes
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 4 min 23 s
Description: The inert electrode does not participate in the chemical reaction and acts only as a source or sink for electrons. Isn't it interesting? Let's watch and lear...

Question

Describe the process of refining copper.

Accepted Answer

Copper is purified by the electrolysis process. It is called the electro refining of copper. In this process, the anode is made of impure copper. The cathode is pure copper. The electrolyte is a dilute copper $(II)$ sulphate solution.

The copper in the anode dissolves, but the impurities do not dissolve as shown in the following figure. They just drop to the floor of the cell as sludge or anode mud. A layer of pure copper builds up on the cathode. When the anode is almost gone, the anode and cathode are replaced.

The copper deposited on the cathode is over $99.9 %$ pure. The sludge may contain valuable metals such as platinum, gold, silver, and selenium. These are recovered and sold.

Describe the process of refining copper.

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