Question

In the electrolytic refining of zinc,
A.graphite is at the anode
B.the impure metal is at the cathode
C.the metal ions gets reduces at the anode
D.acidified zinc sulphate is the electrolyte

Answer 1

Hint:
 In the electrolytic refining of zinc, there exists an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. Oxidation takes place at the anode and reduction takes place at the cathode.

Complete step by step answer:
In the electrolytic refining of zinc, pure zinc is deposited at the cathode. Crude zinc is taken as the anode and ${\rm{ZnS}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{4}}}$is the electrolyte. When the current is allowed to pass through the solution of electrolyte, metal ions from that of the electrolyte get deposited at the surface of the cathode in pure metal and an equivalent amount of the metal dissolves from anode into that of the electrolyte in the form of the metal ions. Impurities then settle down below that of the anode in the form of the anode mud.
Anode → impure zinc
Cathode → strip of pure zinc
Electrolyte → acidified zinc sulphate solution
At anode → Oxidation of metal takes place
i.e. ${\rm{Zn}} \to {\rm{Z}}{{\rm{n}}^{{\rm{2 + }}}}{\rm{ + 2}}{{\rm{e}}^ - }$
         (impure)
At cathode → reduction of metal ions takes place
i.e. ${\rm{Z}}{{\rm{n}}^{{\rm{2 + }}}}{\rm{ + 2}}{{\rm{e}}^ - } \to {\rm{Zn}}$
                              (pure)
Therefore, out of the given four options, D is the correct answer.

Note:
 Electrolytically the impure zinc is purified. The impure metal is at the anode and cathode contains sheets of pure aluminium. A zinc sulphate solution acts as an electrolyte and the zinc dissolves from the anode and it gets deposited at the cathode when the electric current is passed through it.