... a new quantity of copper sulphate that dissolves in the solution and restores it to its original composition. If the metal surface of the cathode is chemically and physically clean, the discharged atoms of copper are deposited within normal inter atomic spacing of the atoms of the basis metal and attempt to become an essential part of it. If the basis metal is copper, the new copper atoms will frequently arrange themselves to continue the structure of the basis metal, the plate becoming more or less indistinguishable from and inseparable from the basis metal. Copper is a chemical element, extremely ductile to metal unusually good conductor of electricity and heat. The chemical equations for the reactions at the two electrodes: Anode - Cu(s) - 2e Cu2+ (aq) Cathode - Cu2+ + 2e Cu (s) Factors Which Effect Electroplating * Time - The longer the reaction continues to take place, the larger the mass of copper will be ...

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