The process of depositing the neutral metal on the cathode by reducing metal ions in solution is known as which term?

• A. A method of corrosion prevention by barrier coating
• B. Electroplating
• C. A process of oxidizing metal to form oxide layer
• D. A method of measuring electrical resistance

Answer: (B)

This is electroplating—the process of depositing a thin layer of metal onto a surface by reducing metal ions from solution at the cathode. In electroplating, the object to be plated is the cathode, and the external power source pushes electrons to it. The metal ions in the electrolyte gain those electrons and become neutral metal atoms that coat the surface. That creates a smooth, metallic layer on the cathode. The other descriptions refer to different ideas: barrier coatings protect by a physical barrier, oxidation forms an oxide layer during corrosion, and measuring resistance has nothing to do with depositing metal.