Question

Explain electroplating with suitable examples.

Answer 1

Hint: Electroplating is the process of depositing a layer of a metal on a metallic or a non – metallic electrode by the process of electrolysis is an electrolytic cell. Electroplating is usually done to cover a less expensive metal with a more expensive metal, or to cover a corrosive metal with a less corrosive or non – corrosive metals.

Complete step by step answer:
During the process of electroplating the surface to be corrected acts as a cathode in an electrolytic cell and the metal that is used to cover, acts as an anode.
Electrolysis is thus a process of coating the surface of a conducting material with a metal.
Let's take an example in which an iron spoon is to be electroplated with copper. We will take a copper plate and an iron spoon as electrodes and \[CuS{{O}_{4}}\] or copper sulphate as an electrolyte. The electrodes are immersed in the electrolyte and connected to the external circuit. Now, we will pass current through the electrolyte. It will decompose into \[C{{u}^{2+}}\] and \[{{\left( S{{O}_{4}} \right)}^{2-}}\] ions.
The iron spoon which is working as a negative electrode, will attract \[C{{u}^{2+}}\] ions (because they are positively charged) and these ions will get deposited on the iron spoon. in this manner, iron spoon gets plated with copper.

Note: 1. Electrolysis is used in jewellery making to coat base metals with previous metals to make them more attractive and valuable and more durable (occasionally)
2. Chromium plating is done on vehicles wheels rims, gas burner and bath fixtures to confer corrosion resistance and enhance the expected life of the parts.