In order to electroplate spoon with silver, the arrangement of the electrolytic cell is?

Analysis of the Question

This question tests your understanding of electrolysis and the principles of electroplating. Electroplating is a process where a thin layer of a metal is deposited onto another object using an electric current.

Concept Explanation

To electroplate an object (in this case, a spoon) with a specific metal (silver), you must follow these rules of an electrolytic cell:

1. The Cathode (Negative Electrode): The object you want to plate must be the cathode. This is because metal ions are positively charged ($Ag^+$) and are attracted to the negative electrode, where they gain electrons (reduction) to become solid metal.
2. The Anode (Positive Electrode): The metal you want to plate with (the source of the metal) must be the anode. As the process continues, the silver anode dissolves into the electrolyte to replenish the silver ions being used up.
3. The Electrolyte: The solution must contain ions of the metal being plated (e.g., silver trioxonitrate(V), $AgNO_3$).

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Identify the goal: We want to coat the spoon with silver.
2. Determine the Cathode: Since the spoon needs to be coated, it must be the cathode (where the silver will deposit).
3. Determine the Anode: To keep the concentration of silver ions in the solution constant, we use a silver rod as the anode. The silver rod will oxidize ($Ag \rightarrow Ag^+ + e^-$) and provide new silver ions to the solution.
4. Evaluate the options: • Option A: States the anode is a silver rod and the cathode is the spoon. This matches our requirement perfectly. • Option B: Swaps the roles, which would result in the spoon dissolving instead of being plated. • Options C and D: While they mention the correct electrolyte, they provide incomplete or incorrect electrode assignments.

Conclusion

The correct arrangement for electroplating a spoon with silver is to use a silver rod as the anode and the spoon as the cathode. This ensures that silver ions move from the anode through the electrolyte and deposit onto the spoon.

Exam Tip: Always remember the mnemonic "PANIC" for electrolytic cells: Positive Anode, Negative Is Cathode. Also, remember that the object to be plated always goes to the cathode!