Metallic gold is collected from below the anode when crude copper metal is refin
ID: 1016504 • Letter: M
Question
Metallic gold is collected from below the anode when crude copper metal is refined by electrolysis. Explain this behavior.
A) Copper is oxidized from the crude anode, but any metallic gold present in the crude copper is not oxidized because gold is less active than copper.
B) Gold ions in solution are readily reduced and precipitated as metal by adding any other metal as the reducing agent.
C) The applied electrical current causes the reduction of gold ions in the presence of copper ions in solution because gold is less active than copper.
D) Copper metal can displace gold ions in solution and metallic gold can be produced because gold is less active than copper.
Explanation / Answer
A] Copper is oxidized from the crude anode, but any metallic gold present in the crude copper is not oxidized because gold is less active than copper.