what is electroplating?

Answer 1

Electroplating is an electro-chemical process by which you can coat a certain object with another element. Why would you do this? simply to create a layer on top of a fragile structure to prevent abraison or damage to the object.

Are you familiar with galvanic cells? They're essentially a somewhat complex redox reaction by which electrons are transferred from one object to another. This transfer of electrons causes the anode(the stuff you're coating it with) to gain a positive charge (and the object a negative charge since electrons a transferred) and dissolve in the solution, and be attracted by the cathode (the object) resulting in the deposition of metal onto the charged object.

EDIT:
In response to the oh so brilliant response given by the gentleman below me:
Yes, oxidation does occur at the anode - i apologize for not making it clear enough in my response. I was unsure as to how detailed of an explanation you were looking for. But i would like to point out that this is perfectly in conjunction with my answer. The anode (the substance used to coat the object) gives up electrons, just seperating from the "bar" into the solution as POSITIVE cation (this is oxidation). This in turn bonds with the negatively charged cathode, which is reduced (gains a negative charge) due to the transfer of electrons from the circuit.

NOTE to the answerer below me:
I don't care how much you contribute to this forum, it doesn't give you the right to act like an arrogant bastard. Be polite, and don't insult others. We are all here to help each other with each others' questions. If you see something wrong with my response, correct me - don't insult me.

Thank you very much

Answer 2

This is the application of an electric current to "plate" one metal onto a substrate.

In all of your chemical education, there is one principle that you must memorize. That is that oxidation occurs at the anode. Every thing else falls out after that. That means that reduction (gain of electrons) occurs at the cathode. Loss of electrons occurs at the anode. Regardless of whether you're running the cell as a battery to make electricity, or using electricity from outside to plate something, electrons flow from the anode through the outside circuit to the cathode.

So if you're plating something with copper, copper from the anode loses electrons, which flow out of the anode through the outside circuit, and travels as Cu++ ions through the solution (internal circuit) to the cathode, where it plates out on the substrate.

So remember: No matter how, um, good some one is at AP chemistry, oxidation occurs at the anode.