Question
Explain why copper ions (Cu^2+) move to the negative electrode. 12
Answer
4
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Magnus
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Answer
The copper ions \( \left(\mathrm{Cu}^{2+}\right) \) being positively charged, move towards the negatively charged electrode - the cathode, due to the attraction towards the opposing electrical charge.
Explanation
## Step1: The movement of ions during electrophoresis is defined by the ions' electric charge. In electrophoresis, ions move towards electrodes bearing an opposite charge. ## Step2: Copper ions \( \left(\mathrm{Cu}^{2+}\right) \) carry a positive charge. This is indicated by the superscript '+2', pinpointing the ion's state achieved by the loss of 2 electrons.## Step3: Electrodes in an electrolyte solution, also referred to as electrodes in an electrophoresis setup, bear opposite charges: Positive electrode (Anode) and Negative Electrode (Cathode). Charged particles exhibit the characteristic of getting attracted towards a charge opposite to them.## Step4: Consequently, the Cu2+ ions (copper ions), being positively charged, get attracted towards the electrode with an opposite charge, thus they move towards the negative electrode - the cathode.