Sri Chaitanya Techno School

Newtown

2024 – 2025
To verify Faraday's Law of Electrolysis
Name : Aabharan Dutta
Class : XII
Subject :
Subject Code :
Registration No. :
 Certificate
This is to certify that Aabharan Dutta, Roll No.:
has successfully completed the project titled
“ To Verify the Laws of Faraday” as per
regulations laid down by A.I.S.S.C.E. for the
purpose of Practical Examination and submitted
to the Department of Chemistry, Sri Chaitanya
Techno School, Newtown. It is an original work
done by the candidate under the supervision and
able guidance of the concerned supervisors.

Signature of Project Supervisor Signature of External Examiner

Signature of Prinicpal
Index
 Acknowledgement
I extend my sincere and heartfelt gratitude towards
my teachers who guided and encouraged me
throughout and helped me complete the project
successfully.
I would also like to thank our Principal Ma’am, for
always extending a helping hand to u and lastly, I
would like to thank Sri Chaitanya Techno School,
Newtown for giving me the opportunity to work on
this project.

INTRODUCTION
Electrolysis is a process in which electrical energy is
used to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction.
This phenomenon occurs when an electric current
passes through an electrolyte, causing the ions in the
solution to migrate towards the electrodes, where
they undergo oxidation or reduction. The process of
electrolysis is governed by Faraday's Laws of
Electrolysis, which describe the relationship
between the quantity of electricity used and the
amount of substance deposited at the electrodes.
The first of Faraday’s laws states that the amount of
a substance deposited or liberated at an electrode
during electrolysis is directly proportional to the
quantity of electric charge passed through the
electrolyte. This law allows for the prediction of the
amount of material that will be deposited or liberated
by knowing the charge passed through the solution.
The objective of this project is to verify Faraday’s
First Law of Electrolysis by experimentally
investigating how the mass of copper deposited on
the cathode varies with the amount of charge passed
during the electrolysis of copper sulfate (CuSO₄)
solution. By passing a constant current through the
solution for different periods of time and measuring
the mass of copper deposited, we can validate the
direct proportionality between charge and mass as
proposed by Faraday.
The objective of this project is to verify Faraday’s
First Law of Electrolysis by experimentally
investigating how the mass of copper deposited on
the cathode varies with the amount of charge passed
during the electrolysis of copper sulfate (CuSO₄)
solution. By passing a constant current through the
solution for different periods of time and measuring
the mass of copper deposited, we can validate the
direct proportionality between charge and mass as
proposed by Faraday.

Theory

Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis:

1) Faraday’s First Law of Electrolysis:
 The mass of a substance deposited or liberated at an electrode during
electrolysis is directly proportional to the quantity of charge passed through
the electrolyte.
M = (M/nF) × I × T

Where M = Molar mass of the substance

m = mass of substance deposited

N = Number of Electrons involved in the Reaction

I = Current (A)

F = Faraday’s Constant (96500 C/mol)

T = Time for which the Current flows (in seconds)

2) Faraday’s Second Law of Electrolysis:

The mass of different substances deposited by the same quantity of
charge is proportional to their equivalent masses.

Materials Required
• Copper Sulfate (CuSO₄) solution (0.1 M)
• Copper electrodes (anode and cathode)
• DC Power Supply
• Ammeter
 • Stopwatch
• Beaker (250 ml)
• Digital balance (for measuring the mass of copper
deposited)
• Connecting wires with crocodile clips
• Stirring rod
• Ruler (for measuring the distance between electrodes)
• Measuring cylinder (for measuring the solution volume)
• Thermometer (optional, to check temperature)

Procedure
1) Preparation of Electrolyte Solution:
Prepare a 0.1 M Copper Sulfate (CuSO₄) solution by dissolving the required
amount of CuSO₄ in distilled water in a 250 ml beaker.
2) Setting up the Electrolysis Appartus:
 Place two copper electrodes (anode and cathode) into the beaker
containing the CuSO₄ solution, ensuring that they do not touch each other.
Place two copper electrodes (anode and cathode) into the beaker
containing the CuSO₄ solution, ensuring that they do not touch each other.
3) Electrolysis Process:
Set the power supply to a constant voltage (e.g., 3V).
Start the electrolysis process and record the current value shown by the
ammeter.
Begin timing the electrolysis using the stopwatch (e.g., 10 minutes or 15
minutes).
4) Mass Measurement:
After a predetermined time (say, 15 minutes), stop the electrolysis.
Carefully remove the cathode, clean it with distilled water, and dry it using
a clean cloth or tissue.
Weigh the cathode using the digital balance before and after electrolysis
to determine the mass of copper deposited.
5) Repetition for Different Time Intervals:
Repeat the process with the same setup but with different time intervals
(e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes) while keeping the current
Constant
Repeat the process with the same setup but with different time intervals
(eg. 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes) while keeping the current
constant

Data Table
 Observations
The current remains constant for each trial.
The mass of copper deposited increases as the charge passed through the
electrolyte increases.

As the time for electrolysis increases, more copper is deposited on the

cathode.

Calculations
Step 1: Calculate the charge passed during each trial by multiplying the
current (I) by the time (t) in seconds:
Q=I×t

Step 2: Using the formula for Faraday’s Law of Electrolysis, calculate the
theoretical mass of copper deposited based on the charge passed. For
example, if the molar mass of copper (M) is 63.5 g/mol and n = 2 (for copper,
Cu²⁺) and F = 96,500 C/mol

m = (M/nF) x I x T

Step 3: Compare the experimentally observed mass with the theoretically

calculated mass.

Conclusion
The experimental data should confirm that the mass of copper
deposited during electrolysis is directly proportional to the charge
passed through the electrolyte.
 This verifies Faraday's First Law of Electrolysis, as the increase in the
charge results in a proportional increase in the mass of copper
deposited on the cathode.

Applications of Faraday’s Laws

Electroplating: Used in industries to coat objects with metals such as
Gold , Silver and Copper
Electrorefining: Purification of metals, such as refining copper.
Batteries and Fuel Cells: Where electrochemical reactions
Generate electricity
 Precautions
1. Ensure that the copper electrodes do not touch each other during
electrolysis.
2. Handle the power supply carefully and avoid short circuits.
3. Ensure that the electrolyte solution is mixed thoroughly for consistent
results.
4. Weigh the cathode before and after the experiment to avoid errors in
mass measurement.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
1) [Link]
2) [Link] - ElectroChemistry
3) [Link] - Coordination Compounds
4) NCERT Textbook class XII, Chemistry part I, Unit-5 Coordination
Compounds