Aim:

Apparatus Required:
Copper Plate (Cathode), Brass Surface (Anode), Electrolyte (acidified copper
sulphate), Battery (1-1.5 v power source), some kind of battery holder with alligator
clips, Stopwatch, Cleaners (Methylene Chloride/Trichloroethylene/Kerosene,
Borax/Phosphates/Carbonates/Synthetic Detergents
Theory:
This process is used to deposit a layer of metal, such as chromium, copper, or gold,
onto another metal. As a commercial process, electroplated coatings are used to
improve appearance, resist corrosion, or improve hardness of metallic surfaces. This
experiment describes one method of producing a copper coating on a brass key or
other suitable metallic object.
You will prepare an electrochemical cell by using a copper strip as the cathode
(positive terminal) and a brass key as the anode (negative terminal). The electrodes
are immersed in a solution containing acidified copper (II) sulphate. As you apply a
potential to the electrodes, you will be effectively transferring Cu atoms from the
anode to the surface of the brass key.
In this experiment, you will use one application of Faradays law, stated in equation
form below.

I is the current in amperes; t is the time that the current is applied, in seconds; MM is
the molar mass of the element that is deposited; n is the number of moles of
electrons/mol; and 96,500 is , the Faraday constant.
Electroplating occurs by using an electrolyte cell to plate metal. An electrolyte cell is
a cell containing electrolytes, a liquid that conducts electricity. The electrical current
is passed by a system of electrodes (i.e. electricity conductors) to cause a non-
spontaneous ionic reaction. Ions are atoms or molecules that have a positive or
negative charge. Cations are ions with a positive charge. Anions are ions with a
negative charge. A cathode is a negatively charged electrode and an anode is a
positively charged electrode.
Procedure:
Alkaline or acid solvents, abrasive materials and water can be used to clean
the base metal.
Create a nickel salt or zinc salt solution using 10 percent of nickel and salt or
zinc and salt and 90 percent of distilled water. Fill the cell, beaker or glass
container with the solution. Attach two wires, one to the negative pole and one
to the positive pole of a battery. Connect each wire to a metal strip. Immerse
the metal strips into the electrolyte solution. One metal strip will act as a
cathode. The other will act as an anode, oxidizing or transferring oxygen
atoms and causing the nickel or zinc to attract the positively charged cations.
Dissolve the desired plating metal (positively charged ions) in the chemical
electrolyte solution. Submerge the object to be plated into the electrolyte
solution. It acts as a negatively charged cathode. Place a positively charged
anode in the electrolyte solution. The electric current will move between the
anode and cathode. The positively charged metal ions are attracted to the
object to be plated in a process called electrolysis. The longer the object
remains in the solution, the thicker the metal coating.
1. Take a container and fill it with the electrolyte.
2. Suspend the anode and cathode in it using alligator clips and complete the
rest of the circuit by attaching the wires to the battery.
3. Make sure that the clips arent dipped in the solution.
4. Turn on the circuit and note the time.
5. Switch off the circuit and take out the anode and cathode using the clips only.
6. Dry the plates and clean them using.
Observations:
On Cathode we have successfully electroplated the substance of Anode.
Result: