Hey guys, I'm about to do a lab on Electroplating. I will be sticking a strip of copper and a nickel in a copper sulfate solution. My problem is that my teacher wants us to "Write the two half-reactions for oxidation and reduction that occur in this electroplating process" and honestly I am so stumped. Could anyone help me?

Question

Hey guys, I'm about to do a lab on Electroplating.  I will be sticking a strip of copper and a nickel in a copper sulfate solution.  My problem is that my teacher wants us to "Write the two half-reactions for oxidation and reduction that occur in this electroplating process" and honestly I am so stumped.  Could anyone help me?

anonymous · Answer

I do know that copper is the anode of this reaction and will be oxidized, and that the nickel is the cathode, which means it will be reduced.  But I'm not sure how to write that out in the form of a reaction equation.

anonymous · Answer

Would it be

$$Cu \rightarrow Cu^2 + 2e^-$$
$$Cu^2 + 2e^- \rightarrow Cu$$

I am very confused. :(

vocaloid · Answer

helpful acronym: Oxidation is Losing, Reduction is Gaining (OIL RIG)

vocaloid · Answer

copper is being oxidized, so:

Cu ---> Cu2+ + 2e (first equation)

anonymous · Answer

Thank you for your response!  I ended up getting the equations correct :) Have a great day!