Chapter U1.27, Problem 7E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The claim of the classmate in the electroplating lab that nickel is changed to copper must be proved wrong with a proper argument.

Concept introduction:

In electroplating of nickel with copper, the layer of copper is formed on the surface of the nickel.

Answer to Problem 7E

In the copper plating experiment, only a layer of copper is formed on the Ni surface. Ni does not convert into Cu in this experiment.

Explanation of Solution

In a copper plating experiment, Cu is taken as anode and any metal which needs to be copper plated is taken as a cathode. In this case, the nickel strip is taken as a cathode on which copper plating will take place.

The reduction of copper is represented as follows:

${\text{Cu}}^{2+}+2e\to \text{Cu}$

This is the reaction which takes place at the cathode and the copper produced by the reduction of ${\text{Cu}}^{2+}$ is deposited on the nickel metal. Thus, the nickel strip will be thicker due to the deposition of the copper atom.

Thus, only the deposition of copper takes place and nickel is not converted into copper.

Conclusion

Nickel is not converted to copper in copper plating of nickel.