Electricity and Electroplating

What did the scientist discover by placing a copper plate in a potato?

In the context of electroplating, what is the purpose of adding dilute sulphuric acid to copper sulphate solution?

Why might a layer of gold coating wear off ornaments with repeated use?

What happens to the shiny coating of a brand new bicycle when it is accidentally scratched?

What is the purpose of cleaning the copper plates with sand paper in Activity 14.7?

What is the role of the battery in Activity 14.7?

How does electroplating relate to women's gold ornaments?

What was significant about the discovery made by the scientist in relation to potatoes and electricity?

Why is it mentioned that sometimes science works by looking for one thing and discovering something else?

Electroplating

Electroplating is a process that involves depositing a thin layer of a material, often a metal, onto the surface of another material using an electric current.

The Scientist's Discovery

A scientist discovered that a copper plate placed in a potato can generate electricity, which led to the concept of electroplating.

Electroplating Process

Dilute sulphuric acid is added to copper sulphate solution in electroplating to increase the conductivity of the solution.

Limitations of Electroplating

A layer of gold coating can wear off ornaments with repeated use due to abrasion or corrosion.
If a brand new bicycle's shiny coating is accidentally scratched, the underlying metal can corrode.

Experiment 14.7

Copper plates are cleaned with sandpaper in Activity 14.7 to remove any impurities or oxidation that may affect the electroplating process.
The battery in Activity 14.7 provides the electric current necessary for the electroplating process to occur.

Electroplating in Real Life

Electroplating is often used to add a thin layer of gold to women's ornaments to give them a luxurious appearance.
Electroplating can be used to extend the life of ornaments and other items by protecting them from corrosion.

Scientific Discovery

The scientist's discovery in relation to potatoes and electricity led to the concept of electroplating, which has numerous practical applications.
Sometimes, scientific discoveries can occur unintentionally, as scientists may be looking for one thing but discover something else, as seen in the scientist's discovery with the potato.

Explore the concepts of electricity and electroplating through this quiz. Test your knowledge on how electricity can produce a chemical effect and how electroplating is used to create shiny coatings on surfaces.