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Chemistry / What happens during electrolysis of salt water with copper electrodes?
« on: 06/09/2004 21:08:04 »
HI, I'm new around.
My questions is:
I have salty water which I perform electrolysis on using copper probes (cathode and anode). One of the copper probes nothing happens to as far as I can see (can’t remember which one it is) but the other starts to wear away and turn the water blue/green.
From what I can tell this is copper chloride, but there is a slight brown substance (maybe just dirt off the coin).
What is created at the other probe?
Sodium acid??
For some reason I think I remember a teacher of mine saying adding acid to the water will help it on its way (this is why I added the salt) is this true as I have potassium acid and potassium hydroxide.
Is there a simple why of copper plating using electrolysis which is safe and doesn’t use poisons?
Sorry for all the questions.
Best regards Jonathan.
My questions is:
I have salty water which I perform electrolysis on using copper probes (cathode and anode). One of the copper probes nothing happens to as far as I can see (can’t remember which one it is) but the other starts to wear away and turn the water blue/green.
From what I can tell this is copper chloride, but there is a slight brown substance (maybe just dirt off the coin).
What is created at the other probe?
Sodium acid??
For some reason I think I remember a teacher of mine saying adding acid to the water will help it on its way (this is why I added the salt) is this true as I have potassium acid and potassium hydroxide.
Is there a simple why of copper plating using electrolysis which is safe and doesn’t use poisons?
Sorry for all the questions.
Best regards Jonathan.