To find the value of x when one Faraday of electricity liberates x times 10−1 gram atom of copper from copper sulphate, we need to understand how electricity interacts with copper ions in solution. The key reaction is:
Cu2++2e−→Cu This shows that copper ions (Cu2+) gain two electrons (e-) to become copper metal (Cu). From electroChemistry, we know that:
- 2 Faradays of electricity are required to deposit 1 mole (or 1 gram atom) of copper.
- Therefore, 1 Faraday will deposit half of that amount, which is 0.5 mole, or in other terms, 0.5 gram atom of copper.
- Expressing 0.5 in the form of x times 10−1 gives us 5×10−1.
This means x equals 5.