Question

The electrolyte used for electroplating an article with silver is:
A) Silver nitrate solution
B) Silver cyanide solution
C) Sodium argentocyanide solution
D) Nickel sulphate solution

Answer 1

Hint: Electroplating is a process in which there is a deposition of a metal on the other surface. The article means the surface on which electroplating is to be done. One can analyze the oxidation state of silver in each option which can lead to easier electroplating.

Complete step by step answer:
1) First of all we will discuss the concept of electroplating. Electroplating is a process in which the metal coating is done on another surface through the reduction of the cations of the metal.
2) In this process the direct electric current of specific voltage is used which is responsible for the movement of ions in the electroplating solution set up. In this process, the surface on which electroplating is done is also called an article.
3) Now let us discuss the electroplating of an article with silver in which the decomposed silver needs to be electroplated on the surface with a constant composition.
4) The silver in the solution of silver nitrate and the solution of silver cyanide which has an oxidation state of silver as +1, there is a very fast flow of decomposed silver ions in these solutions. This fast-slow results in the uneven composition on the plates formed on an article.
5) In the case of electrolytic solution of Sodium argentocyanide solution the flow of silver ions is very slow through this solution which makes the even electroplating of silver on an article.
Therefore, The electrolyte used for electroplating an article with silver is Sodium argentocyanide solution which shows option C as the correct choice.

Note:
In the process of silver plating the object or an analyte which is to be plated is made from the cathode of an electrolytic cell. The anode is made up of a bar of silver metal. The electrolytic solution which is the liquid present in between the electrodes is a solution of Sodium argentocyanide.