Starting from aq. copper (II) sulphate solution, give equations for the reactions at the cathode and anode during electrolysis of aq. CuSO4 using active copper electrodes.
Electrode reaction:
CuSO4 ⇋ Cu2+ +SO42-
H2O ⇋ H2+ + OH1-
Reaction at Cathode:
Cu2+ + 2e– → Cu
Cu2+ and H1+ ions migrate to the cathode.
Reaction at anode:
Cu – 2e– → Cu2+
SO42- and OH1- ions migrate to anode but not discharged.