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What type of electrode is the cathode in electrolysis for extracting copper?

Positively charged electrode

Negatively charged electrode

In the process of electrolysis, the cathode is defined as the electrode at which reduction occurs, meaning it is the site where ions gain electrons. For the extraction of copper, the cathode is a negatively charged electrode. This negative charge attracts positively charged copper ions (Cu²⁺) from the electrolyte. When these copper ions reach the cathode, they undergo a reduction reaction, gaining electrons and being converted into solid copper metal.

This principle is foundational in the electrolysis process, particularly in metallic extraction, where the metal ions in solution are reduced to their elemental form at the cathode. Thus, in electrolysis for extracting copper, the correct identification of the cathode as a negatively charged electrode is crucial to understanding how the process efficiently works to yield pure copper.

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Neutral electrode

Insulating electrode

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