Electroplating is used to coat steel cutlery with silver. Explain why electroplating the cutlery with silver improves its properties.

Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0) — 5.1 Transition metals, alloys and corrosion (Chem only) · Explain · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Steel cutlery is sometimes electroplated with silver before being sold. Electroplating uses electrolysis to coat the steel with a thin layer of silver metal.

Model answer (4 marks)

Electroplating coats the steel with a thin layer of silver.
Silver protects the steel from corrosion by acting as a barrier.
Silver gives the cutlery a shiny, attractive appearance.
Only a small amount of silver is required, so electroplating is cheaper than using solid silver.

Examiner tips

  • Use the word "coats" to show the process, "protects" for corrosion, "shiny" for appearance, and mention the cost advantage.
  • Keep each point concise – one sentence per point.
  • Use UK spelling (e.g., "cost" not "costs").

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the role of silver with the role of the steel; forgetting to mention the thinness of the layer.
  • Using vague terms like "better" without specifying why (corrosion, appearance, cost).

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Electroplating coats the steel with a thin layer of silver / another metal
  2. Silver improves the corrosion resistance of the steel / protects the steel from corrosion
  3. Silver improves the appearance of the cutlery / silver is shiny / silver is attractive
  4. Electroplating is cheaper than making the cutlery entirely from silver / only a small (thin) amount of silver is needed

Key terms in this question

electroplating

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