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IB Chemistry HL 3.2.16 Hl Electroplating Questions

Use real HL exam questions to design electroplating cells, place the object at the cathode and maintain the coating-metal ion supply.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Chemistry HL
Level
HL

Exam points

  • Place the object being plated at the cathode (negative electrode), where metal ions are reduced to form the coating.
  • Use a coating-metal anode or dissolved coating-metal salt as the source that maintains the supply of metal ions in the electrolyte.
  • Choose compatible electrodes and electrolyte for the named coating and explain the complete electroplating arrangement.

Learn this topic

Study 3.2.16 (HL)—Electroplating conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

IB Chemistry HL 3.2.16 Hl Electroplating Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 3]

Iron rusts in the presence of oxygen and water. Rusting is a redox process involving several steps that produces hydrated iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3∙nH2O\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3} \bullet \mathrm{nH}_{2} \mathrm{O}, as the final product. The half-equations involved for the first step of rusting are given below.

Half-equation 1: Fe(s)→Fe2+(aq)+2e−\quad \mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{s}) \rightarrow \mathrm{Fe}^{2+}(\mathrm{aq})+2 \mathrm{e}^{-}

Half-equation 2: O2(aq)+4e−+2H2O(l)→4OH−(aq)\quad \mathrm{O}_{2}(\mathrm{aq})+4 \mathrm{e}^{-}+2 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(\mathrm{l}) \rightarrow 4 \mathrm{OH}^{-}(\mathrm{aq})

Describe how electrolysis can be used to electroplate a bracelet with a layer of silver metal. Include the choice of electrodes and electrolyte needed in your description.

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