2.3 Sulfuric Acid and Copper (II) Sulfate Synthesis

One of the two graphite electrodes was placed in an 80ml empty flask while the other was hung as shown in figure 5. 400ml of 2.2M concentration MgSO4 solution was prepared in a glass medium bottle to be used as the primary reactant. A test tube rack was set up with two test tubes and four plastic syringes. One test-tube was labeled and filled with HCl while the other was filled with distilled H2O and labeled "Anode Rest." The Syringes were labeled, "H2O2", "MgSO4", " Mg(OH)2," and "H2SO4".
The 200ml beaker was filled with the 2.2M MgSO4 solution until the 200ml point. Twenty-five extra ml of 2.2M MgSO4 solution were added above the 200ml mark. The PVC pipe was left empty, and 24 volts of electricity was applied to the electrodes. Over time, the fluid would transfer to the inside of the PVC pipe. After an hour, the fluid concentration inside the PVC pipe was tested using NaHCO2 and phenolphthalein titration. 1ml of sample fluid was removed and tested. This testing continued for two experiment runs. (See table 1) After each hour test, 20ml of the solution was transferred using the "H2SO4" syringe to a 250ml flask containing 50g of stripped scrap copper wire. This flask was labeled "CuSO4 Synthesis". Then, using the "MgSO4" syringe, 20ml of the 2.2M concentration MgSO4 solution was added to the outside of the PVC pipe.