Electroplating of metals

By the manipulation of metal atom's electrons we can cover one metal with another. This is called electroplating. This process involves a power source which sucks out electrons from one metal and pumps them into the metal we want to cover.

Copper metal that has electrons sucked from its atoms. The atoms that have lost electrons break away from the metal and dissolve in the solution. The metal that will be covered has electron pumped into it. As the copper atom in the solution come close to this metal they regain their electrons and form copper metal on its surface. Power source removes electrons from one metal and pumps them into the other metal. Electron moving under the force supplied by the power source. Electron moving under the force supplied by the power source. Electron moving under the force supplied by the power source. Electron moving under the force supplied by the power source. Electroplating is very useful when cheap, strong metals, such as iron, can be coated with other metals to protect them from rusting or to give them an expensive appearance. The bumper bars of vehicles are chrome plated. The cheap, strong iron is coated with a thin layer of chromium which gives a shiny appearance and protects it from rusting. Most of our canned food comes in tin plated containers. The cans that store food are made of iron with a thin layer of tin deposited on its surface. The tin layer fully protects the iron from rusting.

Some of the silverware is not pure silver at all. Most of the silver cutlery around the home is really iron plated with a layer of silver.

Look at the diagram above. What happens to the number of copper ions in solution as the plating process in underway?

Before a metal is coated with another metal it must be cleaned and free of oil or grease. Why?

Electroplating activity Electron moving under the force supplied by the power source.