Question

Answer in one word: Name of the metallic ions that should be present in the electrolyte when an article made of copper is to be electroplated with silver.

Answer 1

Electroplating is an electrolytic process of coating of metal on the surface of a metal or article.

1.Aqueous solution of potassium argentocyanide $\mathrm{K}\left[\mathrm{Ag}{\left(\mathrm{CN}\right)}_2\right]$ is used as an electrolyte in silver plating.

2.Silver ions are present in the solution which is deposited on the copper article.

3.Copper ions are also present which are electrolyzed from cathode (copper article).

At anode: silver undergoes oxidation and give ${\mathrm{Ag}}^{+}$(silver ions) which migrate towards the cathode.

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Ag}\to {\mathrm{Ag}}^{+}+{\mathrm{e}}^{-} \\ \mathrm{silver}\mathrm{silver} \\ \mathrm{atom}\mathrm{ion} \end{gathered}$$

At cathode: the article is made up of copper, so cuprous ions occur at cathode

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Cu}-{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to {\mathrm{Cu}}^{+} \\ \mathrm{cuprous}\mathrm{ion} \end{gathered}$$

In order to an electroplated copper article with silver, ${\mathbf{Ag}}^{\mathbf{+}}$and ${\mathbf{Cu}}^{\mathbf{+}}$ions are present in the electrolytic solution.