Question

does iron(as cathode) react with copper sulphate during electroplating

Answer 1

Iron reacts with the SO₄^2- ions to form FeSO₄. It gets oxidised to +2 oxidation state.
Copper gets oxidised at the anode to form Cu²⁺ ions. These Cu²⁺ ions reach the cathode and get reduced to Cu atoms. The SO₄^2- ions react with Fe^2- to form FeSO₄ and remain in the solution.
at anode: Cu(s) → Cu²⁺ + 2e^-
at cathode: Cu²⁺ + 2e^- →​ Cu(s)
Fe(s) →​ ​Fe²⁺ + 2e-
In the solution: Fe²⁺ + SO₄^2- →​ FeSO₄


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