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Explain why copper ions (Cu^2+) move to the negative electrode. 12

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Explain why copper ions (Cu^2+) move to the negative electrode.
12

Explain why copper ions (Cu^2+) move to the negative electrode. 12

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MagnusProfessional · Tutor for 6 years

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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.

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## Step1: <br />The movement of ions during electrophoresis is defined by the ions' electric charge. In electrophoresis, ions move towards electrodes bearing an opposite charge. <br /><br />## Step2: <br />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.<br /><br />## Step3: <br />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.<br /><br />## Step4: <br />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.
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