• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.328-337
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• 2006

purpose of this study was to find out problems in experiments for electrolysis of an aqueous CuCl2 solution in high school science textbooks and to suggest an improved experiment considering students' capability of experimenting and laboratory safety in high schools. For this study, the experiments for electrolysis of an aqueous CuCl2 solution presented in 11 high school science textbooks were classified by their experimental methods. After high school chemistry teachers performed the experiments as presented in the high school science textbooks, an analysis was performed on problems of the experiments, and an improved experiment was devised. According to the results of this study, in the experiments for electrolysis of an aqueous CuCl2 solution using a U type tube and a U type tube with branch, reaction velocity of the electrolysis was slow, therefore, a side reaction was generated. In the experiment using a beaker, reaction of each electrode could not be observed separately. And in the experiment using an electrolysis instrument, it was difficult to identify property of the reaction product. In the improved experiment using a reaction vessel of ㅂshape, reaction velocity of the electrolysis was fast, reaction of each electrode could be observed separately, and the side reaction decreased. From these results, it was suggested that the improved experiment would help high school students understand scientific conception regarding electrolysis.