Question

What is electroplating?

Answer 1

It is a process by which we can do coating of the desired metal on the target substrate. It involves the use of the electrochemical cell. Coating of gold on the copper ornaments is done by this method.

Complete step by step solution:
Electroplating is an electrolytic method of coating metal from the solution on the surface of the substrate by reduction of metal ions present in the solution.
-So, we can say that the arrangement of electrodes and the solution is like an electrochemical cell only.
-Here, the substrate which is to be coated is taken as a cathode, the negative electrode. The metal that is to be coated on the substrate is generally used as a positive electrode which is also called the anode.

As an example, if we dip a target metal as a cathode and copper as an anode in the solution of copper, then passing the external current will give a coating of copper on the target substrate.
-So, when the external current is passed in the cell, the metal ions present in the solutions get reduced at the cathode and in this process, we can finally coat the required metal on the surface of the article or substrate.
- By coating, we can make the articles resistant to corrosion, change their electrical conductivity and lubricity. Thus, we can conclude that it is a method by which coating on the metal can be done.

Note: Remember that electroplating is also called Electrogalvanization as well. Do not forget that the substrate on which coating is to be done needs to be taken as the cathode. An anode is a metal which gets coated on the cathode.