Question

If zinc and gold must be deposited on iron, then which electrode material has been chosen incorrectly?

Answer 1

• Now since we want the coats of zinc and gold, they need to be transferred onto iron.
• The only way it is possible is if they are transferred through the electrolyte, which is basically an ionic solution.
• This means that they need to loose electrons to move into the electrolyte. Later, they need to gain electrons at the other electrode in order to be deposited onto the required metal, iron.
• Now we know that reduction occurs at the cathode and oxidation at the anode.
• Since losing electrons is oxidation and gaining electrons is reduction, zinc and gold need to be placed at the anode.
• It also implies that iron, the one that needs to be coated, should be placed at the cathode.

In simpler words:

• Cathode - Metal to be electroplated.
• Anode - Metal to be deposited over the other.
• Electrolyte - Salt solution of the metal to be deposited.