Question

In the electrolytic refining of zinc

• A. Graphite is at the anode.
• B. The impure metal is at the cathode.
• C. The metal ion get reduced at the anode.
• D. Acidified zinc sulphate is the electrolyte.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

In the electrolytic refining of zinc, anode is made up of impure zinc while a strip of pure zinc acts as cathode. An acidified solution of zinc sulphate acts as electrolyte. When electricity is passed, following reactions occur.

At cathode $$ Zn ^{2+}+2 e ^{-} \rightarrow \underset{\text { (pure) }}{ Zn } $$ At anode $$ \underset{\text { (impure) }}{ Zn } \rightarrow Zn ^{2+}+2 e ^{-} $$