Question

A metal article is to be electroplated with silver. The electrolyte selected is sodium argentocyanide. Write the reaction taking place at the cathode.

Answer 1

Electroplating is a process in which the coating of metal is done with a thin layer of another metal.

1. Cathode is a negative terminal that attracts the positively charged particles. The reduction process will occur at the cathode by the gain of the electrons.
2. Reaction at cathode: The silver ions gain electrons from the electrolyte to form a silver atom. These atoms get deposited on the metal article as a thin layer of silver.

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{Ag}}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to \mathrm{Ag}\left(\mathrm{s}\right) \\ \mathrm{S}ilverion\mathrm{S}ilveratom \end{gathered}$$