Describe electrolytic refining of copper with chemical equations. Draw a well as labelled diagram for it.

Explanation

Electrolytic Refining : This method is widely used as purification of metals like zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), aluminium (Al), chromium (Cr), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and gold (Au). In this process, impure metal is used as anode, a strip of pure metal is used as cathode and soluble salt of metal is used as electrolyte. On passing electric current through the electrolyte, cations move towards cathode, gain electrons and pure metal deposited on cathdoe. In electrolytic refining of copper the impurities left behind at anode called anode and contains valuable metals such as gold and silver which can be recovered in the native state