The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
Electroplating is the process of depositing a layer of any desired metal on another material by means of electricity. It relies on the chemical effect of electric current, where an electrolyte facilitates the transfer of metal ions from the anode to the cathode.
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: The electrolyte used in electroplating must contain ions of the metal that is to be deposited. Since the objective is to plate copper, the electrolyte must be a solution of a copper salt, such as Copper Sulphate ($CuSO_4$), not Zinc Sulphate. Zinc Sulphate would be used if the objective were to plate zinc.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The anode (positive terminal) is made of the metal to be plated on the object. In this case, a plate of pure copper acts as the anode. During the process, copper atoms from the anode lose electrons and dissolve into the electrolyte as copper ions ($Cu^{2+}$), replenishing the solution.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The cathode (negative terminal) is always the object that needs to be coated. The positively charged copper ions ($Cu^{2+}$) in the solution are attracted to the negative terminal. They gain electrons at the cathode and get deposited as a layer of metallic copper on the object.
Key Takeaway: In electroplating, the object to be plated is always the cathode (negative), the metal to be deposited is the anode (positive), and the electrolyte must be a salt solution of the coating metal.