Question

estion 18 of 20 > Attempt 2 - The United States Mint uses electrolysis to copper plate zinc pennies by placing them in a Cut solution and connecting the pennies and a copper electrode to a battery. Enter the half-reaction that takes place when the pennies are plated with solid copper. Include phases half-reaction: Are the zinc pennies the cathode or the anode? anode cathode

Answer 1

the pennies are CATHODE.

Because Cu+2 is reduced to copper and coated on the penies as copper metal.

Thus the pennies are acting as cathode , as cathode is the electrode where reduction takes place.

The half reaction is Cu+2 (aq) + 2e ---------> Cu(s)