Electroplating
We often hear about gold plated ornaments, are in use due to low cost and safety.
However with repeated use gold coating wears out revealing silver or some other metal beneath Do you wonder how layer of one metal gets deposited over another metal? It is possible by the process called Electroplating.
Electroplating “Process of plating Superior metal onto the other metal by the method of electrolysis"
Electroplating is done to prevent corrosion of metal or for decorative purposes or to make artificial jewellery.
Working:-
In Electroplating , the current is given from an external source and the cathode is the item to be coated and Anode which is a positive electrode is the metal. Electrolyte is the metal salt in solution form. When current flows , chemical reaction takes place resulting formation of ions.
Metal ions move towards cathode , takes electrons and then get deposited on cathode ie to the item to be coated.
copper plating
Materials required-1. Anode – Copper plate
2. Cathode – Iron nail
3. Electrolyte- Copper sulphate
4. Battery
Taking Copper sulphate solution in a beaker.A conducting wire and tied one end of it to clean iron nail and the other end to the negative terminal of the cell and another wire tie to the copper plate and he other to positive terminal of the cell. now put the iron nail and the copper plate inside copper sulphate solution .connect switch and close the circuit. copper will get depositing on Iron nail.
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Electroplating of copper
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Chemical reaction |
Uses of electroplating:-
1. Chromium has a Shiny appearance and does not corrode, for this reason chromium plating is done on many objects such as car parts bath tap bicycle hand bar etc.
2. Jewellery makers electroplate silver and gold on less expensive metals these Ornaments have a appearance of gold or silver but are of much less expensive
3. Tin cans used for storing food are made by electroplating tin onto iron . Tin is less reactive than iron, food does not come in contact with iron and is protected from getting spoilt.
4. Iron is used in bridges and automobiles to provide strength. Coating of zinc deposited in iron to protect it from corrosion and the rust.
Area of concern:-
In Electroplating factories ,the disposal of used conducting solutions is of major concern it is following ways and is a they are specific disposal guidelines to protect the environment
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TERMS TO REMEMBER |
MIND MAP:-
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Mind Map |
Students Corner
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Abhilasha Jha, Jamshedpur |
AUTHOR
RITU