Difference Between Electrolysis and Electroplating
Main difference
The main difference between electrolysis and electroplating is that electrolysis is the mechanism in which electricity is used to carry out the non-spontaneous chemical reaction while electroplating is the mechanism in which we silver a metal on the surface of another metal in the presence of electricity.
Electrolysis vs Electroplating
Electrolysis is the process where we use electricity to drive non-spontaneous chemical reaction; On the other hand, electroplating is the process where we cover a metal surface on another metal using electricity. Electrolysis is very useful to perform the non-spontaneous chemical reaction, while in electroplating the metal ions are used to coat another metal. Its applications are very wide, such as electrosynthesis, electrorefining, mercury cell process, etc., while electroplating is used to prevent or save a metal from corrosion and is used for decorative purposes.
For both purposes electricity is used. Electrolysis is also called redox reaction, which occurs by the energy-demanding process; On the other hand, electroplating is the process that uses electricity; This process uses an electric cell to perform the electroplating. Electrolysis is a process that uses direct electric current to break the bond in a chemical compound; On the other hand, electroplating uses electricity to reduce metal on the surface of another metal.
Electrolysis is also called stripping metals from your oars, while electroplating is the process of coating metals on top of pure metals. Electrolysis requires two parallel poles with opposite charge; On the other hand, electroplating is the process of connecting metals with two battery poles for the deposition of impure metal ions on the electrode in pure metallic form. In the electrolysis process, direct electric current is used to bypass the non-spontaneous reaction; On the other hand, electroplating is the process in which the electrodes connect with the battery to carry out the reaction.
Comparison chart
| Electrolysis | electroplating |
| It is the process in which a non-spontaneous reaction takes place in the presence of electricity. | It is defined as the coating of ions of one metal on the surface of another metal. |
| Applications | |
| Electrolysis is used to perform the non-spontaneous reaction. | It is used to coat a metal on the surface of another metal. |
| Applications | |
| It is used for electrosynthesis processes, electrorefining and mercury cells. | Electroplating is used to prevent corrosion of metals or used in the decorative process. |
| daily uses | |
| Electrolysis is commonly used in daily life, for example, the alkali used in the soap making process is obtained by electrolysis. | The daily uses of electroplating are in the form of gold and silver chains and decorative objects. |
| Process | |
| The electrolysis process used both opposite poles for the passage of current. | In this process, the single electrode is used for the deposition of pure metals. |
| mechanisms | |
| Electrolysis is the process in which direct current is used to derive the mechanism. | Electroplating is the process of coating a metal ion on the surface of another metal with the use of electric current. |
What is electrolysis?
Electrolysis is the process in which non-spontaneous chemical reaction takes place under the action of an electric current. The mechanism of electrolysis is the direct use of electricity to carry out the non-spontaneous reaction. It has wide application such as electrosynthesis, electrorefining, and mercury cell process, etc.
It is commonly used in daily life, for example, alkali is used in soap, which is an extract from electrolysis. Electroplating is the process in which both poles of electricity are used for direct current of electricity. Electrolysis is used to perform the non-spontaneous reaction. Electrolysis is generally used to break down large compounds.
What is electroplating?
It is the process in which electricity is used to coat a layer of metal on another metal. This mechanism is carried out in the presence of electricity. This process is used to place a precious metal on the surface of another metal as decorative pieces.
This process has very wide applications, such as preventing corrosion of one metal with the help of another metal, i.e. electroplating gold on the electrode from the impure form of gold. This process has many daily uses such as preventing iron corrosion and is commonly used in the decorative method. In this method, the electrodes are the most important part of this method.
Key differences
- Electrolysis is the process in which electricity is used to carry out the non-spontaneous reaction while electroplating is the process in which metals are deposited on the surface of another metal.
- Electrolysis is the process in which the reaction connects with two poles of the battery and the cell; on the other hand, electroplating is the process where the electrodes are immersed in the reaction.
- The electrolysis process has a very wide application, such as electrosynthesis, electrorefining, and chemical method; Conversely, electroplating also has very wide applications, such as preventing iron corrosion and decorative methods.
- Electrolysis is commonly used in laboratories; on the other side; Electroplating is commonly used in heavy industries.
- Electrolysis is the energy demanding process that is carried out under the redox reaction; On the other hand, electroplating is the process of energy utilization, and this process is carried out by using electrodes.
Final Thought
Electrolysis is the process in which electricity is used to carry out the non-spontaneous reaction, while electroplating is the process in which electricity is used to coat one metal on the surface of another to prevent corrosion.