Diagram of electroplating of a steel spoon with silver metal.
1. Steel spoon attached to an anode (+) connected to a power source.
2. Silver metal attached to a cathode (-) connected to the same power source.
3. Electrolyte solution (usually silver nitrate) in a tank surrounding the spoon and silver metal.
4. When electric current is applied, silver ions from the electrolyte are attracted to the steel spoon (anode) and deposit on its surface, creating a thin layer of silver metal.
5. The spoon is left in the electrolyte solution for a specific amount of time to ensure a uniform coating of silver.
6. Once the desired thickness of silver coating is achieved, the spoon is removed, rinsed, and dried.