Chapter U1.27, Problem 4E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Report on copper plating experiment needs to be created.

Concept introduction:

By passing electricity one metal will be coated on the other metal. This is called electroplating. This is an example of electrolysis.

Electrolysis is the process in which by passing electricity, a chemical redox reaction can be achieved.

Explanation of Solution

The report on the copper plating experiment is represented as follows:

Title of the experiment: Copper plating on iron key.

Purpose of the experiment: With the help of electricity, the desired metal can be coated on the other metal. The copper plated on iron key prevents it from corrosion.

Procedure:

Prepare a fresh solution of copper sulfate in a glass beaker.

Place a small copper rod in copper sulfate solution.

Connect this copper rod to the positive terminal of the battery.

Place an iron key in the glass jar containing copper sulfate solution and connect it to the negative terminal of the battery.

The set up is represented as follows:

Copper rod acts as an anode.

Thus, oxidation takes place at anode.

Iron key acts as a cathode.

Thus, reduction takes place at cathode.

Observation:

After some time, iron key is coated with reddish brown layer of copper metal.

Slowly the copper rod dissolves in the solution and the amount of anode (copper rod) decreases.

The chemical reactions that take place at the electrodes are shown below:

At anode:

$Cu(s)\to C{u}^{2+}(aq)+2e^{-}$

At cathode:

$C{u}^{2+}(aq)+2e^{-}\to Cu(s)$

Conclusion

Thus, by passing electricity, copper metal is coated on another metal.