A student investigated the electrolysis of copper(II) sulfate solution using copper electrodes to measure the mass of copper deposited at the cathode.
Table 1 shows the student's measurements and observations.
Table 1
| Mass of cathode (g) | Appearance of copper(II) sulfate solution | |
|---|---|---|
| Before electrolysis | 3.14 | clear blue solution |
| After electrolysis | 3.48 | clear blue solution |
Describe what steps the student must take to prepare the copper cathode after removing it from the electrolysis cell, before weighing it to get an accurate final mass.
Practise Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Electrolytic processes with exam-style questions for Foundation and Higher tier. 100 questions, matched to the Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0) specification and written in Paper 1 and Paper 2 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.