What is electroplating? On which effect of the electric current is it based? Why is it done?

The process of depositing or coating a layer of any desired metal on the surface of other material by means of electricity is called electroplating. It is one of the most common applications of chemical effects of electric current.

Electroplating is a very useful process. It is widely used in industry for coating metal objects with a thin layer of a different metal. The layer of metal deposited has some desired property, which the metal of the object lacks. For example, chromium plating is done on many objects to make them shiny and attractive.