Experiment 5: Copper Plating a Coin

date | aim | method | materials & equipment | results | conclusion

Date

17 November 2009 by Quest 2, to link in with Chapter 5 of our book.

Aim

To use electricity and copper sulphate to copper plate a coin.

Method

Make a solution of copper sulphate in a beaker. Place a piece of copper sheet or a copper coin in one side and a silver coloured coin on the other side to act as electrodes.

1. Connect the electrodes to a battery so that the silver coloured coin is connected to the positive terminal of the battery and the copper is connected to the negative terminal.
    
2. Connect fresh electrodes with swapped polarity.

Materials & Equipment

• Copper sulphate, CuSO₄.
• Water.

• Beaker.
• Clip leads.
• Battery.
• Copper sheet or copper plated coin.
• Silver coloured coin.

Results/Observations

1. No visible change.
    
2. The silver coloured coin turned slightly copper coloured when it was connected to the negative terminal of the battery.

Conclusion

• Electroplating can be used to place a thin layer of metal on a conductive object.
• Metal ions are positively charged.