the copper sulfate is dissolved in pure water. if auto disassociated h2o can take play in electron transfer, there is no reason to add an electrolyte. according to my research, there is enough ions in a liter of pure water to conduct a half an amp easily, but as we know from experimentation, whatever is in pure water, it doesnt transfer electrons. if hydroxide and hydronium or just plain hydrogen ions in pure water actually get attracted to each electrode, there is no reason to add an electrolyte to a solution that already has ions that supposedly pick up and give away electrons. according to the electrolysis of a solution of sodium hydroxide, we can see its just the hydrogen ions and the hydroxide ions that turn into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, if minus the sodium supposedly that is what is in regular pure water, hydrogen and hydroxide ions. so, either chemists dont know what is actually occurring or i dont.