International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Chemistry Practice Exam

What ions are produced at the anode during the electrolysis of copper chloride?

1. Copper ions

2. Chloride ions

3. Hydroxide ions

4. Bromide ions

The correct answer is: Chloride ions

During the electrolysis of copper chloride, the process occurs in an electrolyte solution, where copper ions (Cu²⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻) are present. At the anode, oxidation takes place. In this scenario, chloride ions are oxidized to form chlorine gas. When chloride ions lose electrons at the anode, they transform into chlorine molecules. This reaction can be represented as 2Cl⁻ → Cl₂ + 2e⁻. As a result, chloride ions are specifically the ions that are produced at the anode during this process, as they are released into the gaseous state as chlorine gas. The other options do not correctly represent the species formed at the anode during the electrolysis of copper chloride. Copper ions would be reduced at the cathode, hydroxide ions are not involved in this particular reaction, and bromide ions are not present in a copper chloride solution. Therefore, the presence of chloride ions at the anode during this electrolysis is the correct identification for the ions produced.