1) a) Write down the important points to be remembered while electroplating
b) Write two advantages of electroplating.
Following points should be taken care of before electroplating :
- Articles to be electroplated must be very clean.
- Articles to be electroplated are made cathode while the metal to be electroplated is made anode.
- The metal to be electroplated is to be replaced periodically as it is consumed.
- The electrolyte must be in the form of aqueous saturated solution and it must contain ions of metals to be electroplated.
- The electrolyte must be acidulated with some acid containing negative ions so as to prevent hydrolysis.
- Low and direct current should be used so that the electrolyte is not heated up.
Following are the advantages of electroplating
1) It prevents metallic articles from rusting. For example, articles made of iron are electroplated with nickel so as to prevent them from rusting.
2) It improves appearance of articles. For example, decoration articles made from copper or brass are electroplated with silver to improve their appearance.